Half the fun of travelling isn’t just seeing new places it’s encountering new faces too. I remember countless times when a visit to a particular town or city wasn’t made amazing by the things I saw or did, but actually by the people I hung out with there.
As such, meeting new people is a key part of the travelling adventure and without it, you’re missing out. Here are 9 great ways to meet people when travelling Australia to ensure you have the best time possible.
9. Go Fruit Picking
There can’t be too many ways to get to know someone quicker than when you’re both picking apples from the same tree, or picking tomatoes from the same plant. Yes doing your Australian farmwork, regardless of whether using it to get your second visa or not, is a key way to meet people when you’re travelling Australia and get to know them fast! When you’re all in it together, those 88 days will go like a rocket!
8. Work for Accommodation
Working for accommodation is a really good way to meet people, as most backpacker places in Australia are known for their socialable, party atmosphere. In addition, not only are you likely to develop a group of friends from the people who are also working at the hostel, but there’s also new guests to befriend everyday too!
7. Volunteer
From Wwoofing to Helpex to Gumtree, there’s tons of volunteer opportunities in Australia and all of them present you with an awesome way to meet local people. Volunteering tends to have you staying in one place for longer, so doubtless you’ll get to make friends with the locals, wherever you are. In addition, other volunteers will also be easy to meet and hang out with.
6. Gumtree Travel Partners
One of my favourite way to meet whilst travelling in Australia has been through Gumtree! Just go to the ‘community’ section of the website and check out the ‘rideshare and travel partners’ part. Here there will be a ton of people offering lifts and road trips to some awesome destinations. So, if you feel like an adventure, this is the place to find it. Travelling with randoms can always be hit and miss, but generally anybody I’ve met this way has been great to journey with!
5. Learn a Sport
As a sport-crazy nation, Australia is a great place to try your hand at a new one you perhaps hadn’t done so before. From surfing to scuba-diving, stand-up paddleboarding to snowboarding, Australia has opportunities for it all and heaps of great instructors and facilities to get you well on your way. Learning a sport is also a great way to meet people in Australia, as it will definitely through you into close quarters with others who share the same interests. Learning new stuff together can be a great way to bond too and you’ll carry the memories with you for a long time.
4. House Shares
If you’re working in Australia, or perhaps just putting your bags down for a while in a sweet spot, then looking for a house share is a great idea. This will be cheaper than staying in a hostel and is a sure fire way to meet other people who also live in the community and aren’t just passing through. If you’re looking to meet people from the area, or those staying longer than a night or 2, then looking for a house share is a great way to do it.
3. Show Off a Cool Trick
Nothing engages people more than something visually interesting, so if you’re looking to strike up a conversation in a hostel or campsite, perhaps show off your latest cool trick. This could be a great headstand move or an awesome juggling show, but either way it’s likely to bring people over to you and get them talking to you! Share the love, show them the ropes and you’ll definitely find more than a buddy or 2!
2. Take a Course
Taking a course whilst you’re travelling in Australia is also a great way to meet people. It might be anything from a language course to a yoga course, but getting involved in some form of study will definitely bring you into contact with some great people, many of whom will likely share the same interests as you. As most courses last a number of weeks or months, they also present you with a good length of time to really forge a friendship and perhaps make travel plans after together.
1. Do Something New and Scary
Nothing bonds people together like fear, so doing something that scares you is a great way to meet people whilst travelling Down Under. Perhaps you could try bungee jumping or skydiving, or perhaps have a go at scuba diving with sharks or sailing, whatever it is – doing a new and adrenaline-raising activity with others who feel the same is bound to bring you together.
So those are 9 great ways I can suggest you can meet people while travelling Australia. What are your thoughts? How do you normally meet travel buddies?
