Where to Find Online Communities to Meet New Friends in Your City (Australia Guide)
Learn how Australians use online communities to make new friends and turn digital conversations into real-life social connections.
If you’re trying to expand your social circle, online communities are often the easiest place to start. Unlike one-off events or swipe-based apps, online communities give you time to observe, engage, and connect gradually, which is why they’re especially popular across Australia for making new friends.
This guide breaks down which online communities Australians actually use, how they work, and how to turn online interaction into real-life connection in your city.
Why Online Communities Work for Building Friendships
Online communities remove much of the pressure that comes with meeting people face-to-face straight away. You can join discussions, see what people care about, and connect over shared interests before ever committing to a meetup.
This approach works particularly well if you:
- Are new to a city
- Prefer smaller, interest-led interactions
- Want ongoing connection rather than one-off events
If this sounds familiar, Meet People With Similar Interests in Australia explores why shared interests are one of the strongest foundations for friendship.
Popular Online Communities Australians Use to Expand Their Social Circle
Bunchups
Bunchups blends online community discovery with real-life connection. Instead of large anonymous groups, it focuses on interest-based hangouts in one-on-one and small group settings, making it easier to move from online discovery to meeting people in your city without social overwhelm.
This works especially well for people who want:
- Low-pressure interaction
- Clear intent (friendship, not dating)
- Real-life meetups built around shared activities
It naturally complements community-driven approaches discussed in How to Make Friends as an Adult in Australia.
Meetup
Meetup remains one of the most widely used platforms in Australia for interest-based communities. While it’s known for events, its real strength lies in ongoing groups: hiking clubs, book groups, tech communities, and social circles that meet regularly.
Many Australians use Meetup as a stepping stone: joining the group online first, then attending events once they feel comfortable.
Facebook Groups
Facebook Groups are one of the most active and often overlooked online community spaces. Searching for your city plus an interest (for example, Melbourne Walkers or Sydney Board Games) often reveals highly engaged local groups.
These communities are valuable because:
- Conversations happen before meetups
- Events are often informal and free
- Members tend to be genuinely local
They’re particularly useful for neighbourhood-level or hobby-specific connection.
Bumble BFF
While Bumble BFF is technically an app, it functions much like a friendship community. Many users treat it as a space to discover like-minded people locally before organising casual meetups or group activities.
It’s especially popular among women in major Australian cities and works best when paired with shared interests or activities.
Reddit hosts a wide range of Australian communities, from city-based subreddits like r/Melbourne to niche interest groups. While Reddit isn’t built for friendship, it’s often where people:
- Discover local meetups
- Ask for activity partners
- Connect around shared interests
It works best as a discovery and conversation space rather than the final destination.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor focuses on hyper-local connection. Australians often use it to learn about local events, neighbourhood initiatives, and nearby groups, making it ideal if you want to meet people who live close to you.
This aligns well with How to Explore Your Neighbourhood and Build Local Connections.
Niche & Life-Stage Communities
Some online communities are designed around specific life stages or identities. For example:
- Peanut for mothers and parents
- Smaller WhatsApp or Telegram groups formed from local clubs or events
These communities often feel more intimate and supportive, especially during life transitions.
How to Use Online Communities to Actually Make Friends
Joining a community is just the first step. What makes the difference is how you engage.
Being specific about your interests helps others connect with you more easily. Participating consistently, commenting, responding, or attending recurring activities builds familiarity. Over time, this familiarity turns into trust, which makes real-life meetups feel natural rather than forced.
This process is very similar to what’s discussed in Why Spending Time with Like-Minded People Boosts Mental Clarity.
Moving from Online Community to Real-Life Connection
Most strong friendships don’t form instantly. They grow through repeated interaction, online first, then offline. Starting with group activities, choosing public settings, and keeping expectations light helps ease the transition.
If safety or confidence is a concern, How to Meet New People Safely in Real Life offers practical guidance.
Final Thoughts: Community First, Friendship Follows
Online communities give you something many social apps don’t: a sense of belonging before you ever meet. For Australians looking to expand their social circle, they’re one of the most sustainable ways to build real friendships in your city.
If you’re ready to move from online communities to real-life connection through shared interests, explore Bunchups designed to help people meet one-on-one and in small, comfortable groups and turn connection into action.
