Making friends in a new country can be tough, especially when you are traveling alone. If you are heading down under to Australia, here are a few of the best ways to meet new people and make some lifelong friends on your journey.
Join an Online Travel Group
The first thing you should do is look online and find online travel groups for your destination. Nowadays, you can do a quick search on Facebook will get you tons of groups of people from your country traveling to Australia.
Once you do, pick up some Liquorland Travla beers and head out to meet them. More often than not, they are also looking for people to meet, and it is almost always easier to mingle with the locals when you already have someone on your team.
Look for Expat Groups
Similar to the previous tip, search for expat groups for your destination. Whether you are going to Melbourne or Sydney, there will almost always be an expat group for you to join and meet up with some people from your home country.
This allows you to meet a lot of new people, and these expats will most often have local friends you can meet and hang out with.
Visit Traveler-Friendly Locations
Another great way to meet fellow travelers and locals is to hang out where you get a good mix of both. For example, bar work is common for younger travelers on gap years, and is almost designed to make meeting new friends easier.
Spend Time in Hostels
Hostels are another brilliant way to meet both local and international travelers alike. You will almost always meet an eclectic collection of people, almost all of whom are more than happy to be friends and show you the ropes.
Plus, sharing a living space naturally makes people build bonds, and at the very least, you will make friends with the people you are living with.
Embrace Spontaneity
Don’t avoid or reject invitations that may steer you away from your itinerary. This is especially true if you are staying in a hostel, as your roommates may ask if you want to join them for dinner, a drink, or an afternoon at the beach.
You should say yes, as it gives you the chance to get closer to them, and you also never know who you are going to meet when you are out.
Work Age-Related Jobs
If you are staying for an extended period and you need to work, focus on jobs that have people of a similar age to you. For instance, many gap year travelers will be between the ages of 19 and around 23, while older people will be in corporate jobs or something similar.
Never underestimate the power of simply being of a similar age to your coworkers, as you will have a lot more in common and plenty to talk about and bond over.
Attend Events
Events are also an amazing way to meet like-minded people. Whether it be a concert or festival, a farmers market, a gallery opening, or anything in between. This gives you the chance to meet people who already have similar interests to you.
Additionally, Australia is a big sports country, and heading down to your local pub to watch a game of rugby or cricket can be fun and a brilliant way to meet new people in a very relaxed environment.
Use Co-Working Spaces
If you are a digital nomad and work online, spend a few of your days at co-working spaces. The big cities in the country are packed with them, and it is easy to set up your station for the day and meet plenty of people.
Many co-working offices also hold events during the week, and these will give you a chance to network and speak with people in a more relaxed and friendly environment.
Join the Gym
If you love staying fit, there is arguably no better place to meet like-minded people than at the gym. You can join a class, try work in with someone, or ask if someone wants to train together if they are doing a similar workout to you.
While it can be awkward, don’t forget that many people would appreciate the company and the encouragement while training. If the gym isn’t for you, but you want to stay fit, join a martial arts class or something similar.
Strike Up Conversations
Finally, you can always do it the old-fashioned way and simply strike up a conversation. Australians are famously friendly and easy to talk to, and many would be happy to share a beer and a chat.
Plus, don’t underestimate the power of not being a local, as being from a different country is an instant ice-breaker and an easy way to get a conversation going.
In conclusion, making friends in Australia is really not as hard as you may think. No matter what you like, how long you are visiting for, or the reason you are there, there are almost endless way to meet new people and make new friends on your journey.
