Ben & Jerry's Will Give Out Free Ice Cream the Next Time the Temperature Hits 31 Degrees

Anyone who went to school in Queensland and sweltered through the state's summers in sticky, sweaty classrooms has heard a persistent rumour: if the temperature reaches 40 degrees, you get to go home. You've outgrown that dream notion now, obviously, but Ben & Jerry's is spinning its own version by handing out free ice cream when the mercury next hits 31 degrees.

First, the obvious — and glorious — part of that news: 31 degrees in southeast Queensland in summer is a frequent occurrence. Now, the caveat: it'll need to reach 31 degrees at Burleigh Heads, because those freebies will be handed out from Ben & Jerry's just-launched new store on the ground floor of the Surf Living Saving Club on Burleigh Heads beach.

Whenever the 31-degree temperature next arrives at that exact location, the new shop will hand out free scoops from 1–6pm that day. Ben & Jerry's is leaving the giveaway open throughout February — so if we get a few under-30 days for a while and it doesn't get to 31 degrees or over again for a few weeks, those freebies could still be on their way.

So that you don't have to keep checking forecasts for the area, the ice cream chain will take to the Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving Club's social channels when the 31-degree mark is hit — and it'll be basing it off of a thermometer outside the store.

Because we know you're know wondering, the current Bureau of Meteorology forecasts for Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta — so, in the vicinity of Burleigh — predict 30-degree days on Thursday and Friday, but nothing over that for at least the next week.

Ben & Jerry's will give away free scoops from 1–6pm on the next day in February that the temperature reaches 31 degrees or over. Keep an eye on the Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving Club's social channels, as that's where the chain will confirm the temperature when it's reached — and the giveaway.