But not the animals who live in the Barrington Tops conservation area called Aussie Ark. This site is home to Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls, parma wallabies and long-nosed potoroos.

When snow arrived in the area last week, Aussie Ark keeper Max Jackson said: "All of our animals are used to this type of climate and have their natural ways of keeping warm in the snow".

This grabbed our attention. We wondered how they stay warm.

Then we thought of Wim Hof, whose known as the Iceman.

Wim is famous for his incredible ability to withstand cold through breathing, meditation and mind control.

He's climbed to 7200 metres altitude on Mount Everest wearing only shorts and shoes. The summit is about 8850 metres.

He reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro within two days, again wearing only shorts and shoes. And he's set world records for swimming under ice and taking the longest ice bath. He's run marathons in only shorts in minus 30 degrees and sat in a tank of ice for 90 minutes without his core temperature changing.

Scientists have shown that Wim can control his autonomic nervous system and immune system with his mind and methods, which involve a mix of breathing [controlled hyperventilation], cold exposure and commitment/focus.

In one experiment, he agreed to be injected with an endotoxin [a component of E. coli]. Most people respond to this test with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches and shivering.

Wim Hof showed few flu-like symptoms. He also trained a dozen volunteers for 10 days to use his methods. They, too, had reduced symptoms.

Wim Hof showed few flu-like symptoms. He also trained a dozen volunteers for 10 days to use his methods. They, too, had reduced symptoms.

"The cold is your warm friend. What I am capable of, everybody can learn," Wim says, adding that his method boosts energy, improves sleep and reduces stress.

The Tassie devils in the Barrington thermoregulate to stay warm. They can keep their body temperature within certain boundaries.

WIm Hof can do this, too. He's learned how to consciously increase activation in thermoregulatory areas of the brain.

Not a bad skill to have, that. Most of us turn on the heater, grab an extra blanket, drink hot chocolate or wear a scarf.

Speaking of scarves, Jo Ashby is running the Scarf Project in Newcastle.

She's collecting scarves, hats and gloves. Donations must be new and warm. They can be knitted, crocheted, fleece or bought.

Following the tradition of other scarf projects in the US, she plans to hang the scarves in a public place in Newcastle for disadvantaged and homeless people to collect anonymously. To help or contribute, email jobiebear101@gmail.com or check out the Scarf Project- Newcastle on Facebook.