A Spring Ridge farmer has captured the unusual and oh-so-cute moment a curious koala takes a dip to cool down in a property dam.

Mitch Deal was driving past a dam at the property he manages, “Boyanda North”, which backs onto the Breeza State Forest, when he noticed something unusual.

“There are so many (koalas) around here, but I didn’t know what it was when I drove past,” Mr Deal said.

“It was by the dam next to the house.

“He was asleep, it looked like he’d had a big night and was having a snooze by the dam.

“We usually see one (koala) a week, but never like this.”

There’s little wonder why the koala chose to take a dip and cool down, with the mercury climbing to a top of 38 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday in both Tamworth and Gunnedah.

And don’t expect any respite from the heat soon.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, it’s set to be the longest run of 35-plus degree days wholly in the month in December since records started at the Tamworth airport in 1992.

The koala was first discovered cooling down in the dam on Wednesday. 

The family checked on it again last night, but it had moved on to cooler pastures.