Meet People With Similar Interests in Australia: Your Complete Guide

If you’ve ever wished you could meet people who get your interests - the kind of people who enjoy the same activities, talk about the same things, or share the same energy - you’re not alone.

In fact, McCrindle’s work on social connection in Australia highlights that many people prefer to socialise through shared interests and meaningful activities rather than traditional social gatherings. This shift is happening because interest-based friendships feel easier, more natural, and more meaningful.

The good news? Meeting like-minded people isn’t just possible - it becomes surprisingly straightforward when you know where to look and how to approach it.

This guide is your complete roadmap.

Why Meeting People With Similar Interests Just… Works

Interest-based friendships are scientifically easier and more comfortable.
Here’s why:

1. Shared Interests Create Instant Common Ground

You don’t need to “perform” socially when you’re doing something you already enjoy.
The activity removes pressure and gives you something to focus on together, whether it’s a pottery class, a morning walk, board game night, or any other activity of interest.

2. You Skip the Small Talk

Talking about the shared activity (fitness, books, hikes, pottery, walks, photography, etc.) gives you built-in conversation starters. You’re not stuck on “So, what do you do?”; you can talk about the game, the trail, the class, or the project in front of you.

3. Trust Builds Faster

Psychologists call this social mirroring - people bond quicker when engaging in a shared task or experience. You see each other being yourselves in a natural setting, which builds comfort and trust more quickly than forced one-on-one chats.

4. People Show Up as Their True Selves

Interests reflect values. You naturally connect with people who enjoy what you enjoy: creativity, movement, calm, depth, challenge, fun, or a mix of all of these.

5. It Reduces Social Anxiety

Activities shift attention away from “being social” and toward “doing something together” which lowers self-consciousness and makes conversation feel more organic.

Shared interests are, quite literally, the easiest path to new friendships.

Why Adults in Australia Struggle to Meet Like-Minded People

Despite the advantages, many Australians still find it hard to meet people who share their interests.

Here’s why:

1. Australian Cities Are Spread Out

Unlike dense European cities, most Australian suburbs require driving - reducing casual, spontaneous interactions with like-minded people.

You’re less likely to keep bumping into the same faces unless you intentionally create repeat patterns to explore your neighbourhood and build local connections.

2. Busy Lifestyles Leave Little Room for Social Exploration

Between work, commuting, and responsibilities, adults rarely have time to try new activities or join clubs, which is why short, repeatable activities (like a weekly class or walk) work better than big one-off events.

3. Declining Community Participation

ABS data shows that fewer Australians participate in community activities regularly compared to a decade ago (ABS Social Participation Study, 2022).

This means fewer natural opportunities to meet people.

4. Remote Work Has Reduced Real-World Interaction

More Australians work from home than ever before - limiting office friendships and making interest-based meetups even more important.

5. People Feel Unsure Where Their Interests Fit

Many adults outgrow childhood hobbies, or don’t know what activities suit their current life stage or personality.

How to Identify What Kind of Interests Will Help You Meet People

Before you choose where to meet people, you need to understand what kind of interests actually support connection.

Here’s a simple way to identify your “Interest Profile.”

1. Are you outdoorsy, creative, social, or calm-focused?

Everyone falls into one or more natural interest categories:

✔ Outdoorsy

Hiking, camping, coastal walks, trail runs, fitness.

✔ Creative

Pottery, art, photography, writing, music, crafting.

✔ Social-Active

Trivia, social sports, dancing, group fitness, meetups.

✔ Calm & Low-Pressure

Book clubs, coffee chats, board games, workshops.

2. Match interests to your social energy

If you’re introverted or prefer calm interactions:
choose book clubs, walks, café meetups, small workshops.

If you’re extroverted or high-energy:
choose group fitness, dancing, social sports, large meetups.

3. Choose interests based on time availability

If you’re time-poor:
use 30-60 minute activities (walks, short classes, quick coffees).

If you have flexible time:
join longer workshops, sports, or outdoor hikes.

4. Consider interests that help you meet people regularly

Consistency beats variety.

Activities done weekly create repeated exposure - the foundation of all friendship.

Where to Meet People With Similar Interests in Australia

Here are the best places to find like-minded people - across cities, suburbs, and online communities.

1. Outdoor & Active Communities

Australia is built for outdoor socialising.

Great ways to meet like-minded people:

• walking groups

• coastal strolls

• group hikes

• running clubs

• cycling groups

• sunrise yoga

• weekend park workouts

• dog park meetups

These activities are low-pressure, fun and natural.

2. Creative & Skill-Based Groups

People who join creative sessions tend to be curious, open, and easy to talk to.

Try:

• pottery studios

• art workshops

• painting classes

• creative writing groups

• photography walks

• cooking classes

• woodworking

These attract people who enjoy slow, thoughtful connections and help you build your creative circle.

3. Social Sports & Group Activities

Perfect if you enjoy active, fun socialising:

• beach volleyball

• touch footy

• casual soccer

• indoor rock climbing

• dancing classes

• pilates or fitness circuits

Group sports build camaraderie quickly and give you a team-based sense of belonging.

4. Quiet, Low-Pressure Social Groups

Great if you prefer calmer activities:

• book clubs

• board game nights

• café meetups

• study or productivity meetups

• language exchanges

• writing circles

These environments attract thoughtful people who value deeper conversation, – something Bunchups also supports via one-on-one or small, interest-based hangouts.

5. Local Community Centres & Council Programs

Most councils in Australia run:

• skill workshops

• community fitness

• creative classes

• volunteer programs

• meetups for newcomers

They’re affordable, friendly, and inclusive.

6. Online Communities (Australia-Based)

People with shared interests gather everywhere online:

• Facebook groups (city-based or interest-based)

• Reddit communities (hiking, cooking, music, fitness, arts)

• Discord servers

• WhatsApp community groups

• local forums

These are great for discovering people before meeting offline.

7. Interest-Based Apps (Small Groups, Zero Pressure)

This is one of the easiest and most modern ways to meet like-minded people.

Bunchups focuses on one-on-one or small, activity-first meetups that naturally attract people who want real friendship connections, not dating apps or large events.

Indoor vs Outdoor Interest-Based Friendship Paths

Choosing the right environment helps you meet people who share your energy and preferences.

Outdoor Interest Path

Great for people who enjoy movement or nature:

• hikes

• dog walks

• parkruns

• outdoor fitness

• coastal or bush trails

• weekend market strolls

Outdoor friends tend to be active, easygoing, and community-minded.

Indoor Interest Path

Perfect for people who prefer calm, comfortable social settings:

• pottery studios

• book clubs

• coffee meetups

• cooking workshops

• board games

• language classes

• creative sessions

Indoor interest-based friendships often feel deeper and more grounded.

How to Turn Shared Interests Into Real Friendships

Finding like-minded people is step one.
Turning it into friendship is step two.

Here’s how to make that transition naturally:

1. Use Activity-Based Conversation Starters

These questions open doors without pressure:

• “Have you done this class before?”

• “Any other groups like this you’d recommend?”

• “Do you usually come on weekends too?”

They’re specific, relevant, and easy to answer.

2. Attend the Same Activity at Least Twice

Repetition builds familiarity.
People remember you faster than you think, especially if you stick to the same sessions or times.

3. Introduce Yourself Casually on the Second Visit

A simple: “Hey, I saw you here last week too.”
…goes a long way. You’re acknowledging familiarity without making it a big deal.

4. Suggest a Micro-Meetup Based on the Interest

Example:
“We’re grabbing coffee after this if you want to join.”

Micro-meetups feel safer than planning a big outing and work well as a next step.

5. Join Small Groups Instead of Large Ones

Small groups:

• feel safer

• help quieter people speak

• create more meaningful conversations

• reduce overwhelm

A Simple, Repeatable Approach to Meeting Like-Minded People

This method works for introverts, extroverts, busy people, and newcomers.

Step 1: Choose two interests you genuinely enjoy

Not what’s trendy - what’s you.

Step 2: Join one weekly activity for each interest

Pick options that align with your energy and availability.

Step 3: Attend consistently for 3-4 weeks

Consistency builds familiarity and trust, with the place and with the people.

Step 4: Start small conversations linked to the activity

Interest-first conversations are natural and effortless.

Step 5: Follow up with people who feel comfortable

Friendships grow through repeated shared experiences.

Step 6: Build a simple monthly social rhythm

This could be:

• weekly walks

• monthly workshops

• fortnightly book club

• Sunday coffee catchups

Routines make friendships sustainable.

Final Thoughts

Meeting people with similar interests isn’t luck - it’s a combination of choosing the right environments, building gentle routines, and showing up consistently.

Shared interests create a natural pathway to meaningful friendships.
And in Australia, where people value low-pressure socialising and real experiences, interest-based activities are one of the most effective ways to build your community.

You don’t have to be outgoing.
You don’t have to reinvent yourself.
You just have to take small steps in the right places - with people who enjoy what you enjoy.

Your people are out there.
And shared interests are the bridge.