New to Geelong? How to Meet People in Your First Month

Moving to Geelong is easy. Knowing someone to call on a Saturday takes longer. You have plenty of company: Greater Geelong added about 6,400 residents in the year to June 2025, so a lot of the people around you are working this out too.

This is a simple first-month plan. It uses real places in and around Geelong, and every one is something you can do on your own.

The short answer

Pick one thing that repeats every week, close to home, and go four times before you judge it. People become friends by seeing the same faces again, so a weekly habit beats a one-off event. The easiest start is Eastern Gardens parkrun, free at 8am every Saturday at Eastern Park in East Geelong. You can walk it.

Week 1: Turn up to something free

Eastern Gardens parkrun. It's a free, timed 5 km walk, jog or run, open to all ages and abilities. Register once on the parkrun site and bring your barcode. Plenty of people stay for a coffee afterwards, so don't rush off. If you'd rather not go straight into a crowd, volunteering is a good trick: you get a job to do and people to talk to.

Walk with a group. Heart Foundation Walking lets you search for a local walking group by suburb or postcode. Walking suits a first meeting, because you're side by side and there's no pressure to keep talking.

Week 2: Find your neighbourhood house

Neighbourhood houses are the most underrated way to meet people in Geelong. They run classes, groups and short courses at low cost, and they are used to welcoming people who are new. Neighbourhood Houses Barwon lists them all. A few by area:

• Geelong West: Geelong West Neighbourhood House, 89 Autumn Street
• Belmont: South Barwon Community Centre, 33 Mt Pleasant Road
• Grovedale: Grovedale Neighbourhood House, 45 Heyers Road
• Hamlyn Heights: Vines Road Community Centre, 37-61 Vines Road
• Corio: Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre, 36 Sharland Road
• Lara: Lara Community Centre, 9-11 Waverly Road
• Leopold: Leopold Community and Learning Centre, 31-39 Kensington Road
• Ocean Grove: Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House, 1 John Dory Drive
• Torquay: Torquay Community House, 14 Price Street

Ring or email the one closest to you and ask what's on for someone new to the area. That one question usually gets you more than the website does.

Week 3: Do the thing you already like

Friendships come more easily when you already have something to talk about. Pick what you did where you used to live, and find the Geelong version.

• If you like being outdoors: Geelong Bushwalking Club runs walks around the Surf Coast, the Bellarine, the You Yangs, the Brisbane Ranges and the Otways.
• If you play a sport: most tennis courts, bowls greens and footy ovals here belong to clubs, and clubs usually want new members. Email the one nearest you and ask about a social session.
• If you want just one other person: look for a plan on Bunchups in Geelong, or post your own, like a walk or a coffee. It can be one-on-one or a small group.

Week 4: Make the first invitation

By now you'll recognise a few people. This is the step most of us skip. Going from a familiar face to a friend takes one small invitation, and it doesn't have to be a big deal: "I'm getting a coffee after this. Want to come?" If you get stuck on the wording, here's how to ask someone to hang out.

How to turn up alone

• Arrive five minutes early. It's easier to join a small group forming than a big one already talking.
• Tell someone you're new. It gives people a reason to help you, and most will.
• Have one question ready: "How long have you been coming here?" works almost everywhere.
• Decide on four visits before you start. The first one is often the most awkward.

Frequently asked questions

Is it hard to make friends in Geelong?

It can feel that way at first, especially if people around you grew up here and already have their groups. It gets easier when you go to the same thing each week, because you stop being a stranger.

What's free in Geelong for meeting people?

Eastern Gardens parkrun is free every Saturday at 8am. Many neighbourhood houses run low-cost groups, and volunteering is free too. Check with each one for current costs and times.

Where can I find more ideas?

Our guide to making friends in Melbourne and Geelong has more places, including climbing, libraries and options for people over 50.

What if this all feels too hard right now?

That's more common than people say, especially after a move. If things feel really heavy, Lifeline is there on 13 11 14, any time. A GP is also a good person to talk to.

Make the first plan

You don't need to wait for an invitation. On Bunchups you can post something small, like a Saturday coffee or a walk along the Barwon, and people nearby can ask to join. It's free to use.