When you’re new here, you’re in good company.

Each year, around 25,000 students from all over the world and from other parts of Australia move here to study. Around 1,000 people join the Australian Public Service graduate program every year. Families move to Canberra for work, our easy lifestyle, and because it’s such a great place to raise children. The median age in the ACT is 35. 

We also absorb thousands of ‘Fly in fly out’ (FIFO) politicians and their staffers who arrive when Parliament sits for around 20 weeks of the year, and members of the diplomatic corps, who are posted to work across Canberra’s 113 high commissions and embassies. This means Canberrans are pretty used to seeing fresh faces and we love to welcome them.

Whatever your interests, you’ll find people who love doing the same things. Here are five ways to make new friends in Canberra.

Find your people 

We suggest joining a networking group to kick off your hunt for friendship, starting with Meetup, an online resource that lists communities and events that are happening around town. Canberra-based groups connect people with shared interests such as adventure sports, drama, book clubs, and intimate dinners!

There are also groups specifically for women where you might meet a like-minded friend or two, like the Canberra Gals Network – a feminist organisation that consciously connects and advances women and their businesses, The Canberra Woman and Canberra Mamas (perfect for new mamas in Canberra looking to make connections).

Run (dance or jump) into new people

Canberra has a big running community – joining a running group is a great way to meet new people. Parkrun is a weekly run held at 8 am every Saturday morning at various locations across the city. Walk, jog or run as you push yourself to make new personal bests and new connections. Running for Resilience (R4R) is another group run to check out – there are four sessions per week leaving from Kingston Foreshore, or one session every Thursday at 8.30 am from The Coffee Grounds at the University of Canberra.

If running’s not your thing, there are plenty of other options – why not try an adult dance class or join a social sporting team? Discover some of the sports on offer.

Canberra Bush Walking Club

Want to explore the natural landscape of Canberra and meet other nature lovers? Check out the Canberra Bush Walking Club with hundreds of members and groups heading out tackling the toughest of trails to the gentlest of strolls.

Put your hand up

If you’re keen to volunteer and meet some locals by doing good work, we recommend browsing the Volunteering ACT website to find an opportunity.

Say yes to as much as possible

Coffee with work colleagues? Say yes. An invite out to a networking event? Say yes. The chance to try a new place to eat with your neighbour? Definitely say yes. Be open-minded and open to new things, even though it might be a little scary at first.