Best Apps to Make Friends in Australia

Making friends as an adult in Australia is harder than anyone admits. Your university mates have scattered across the country. Work friendships rarely extend beyond the office. And if you've recently moved to a new city, your social calendar might look concerningly empty.

So you turn to apps. But most "friend-making apps" are either dating apps in disguise, ghost towns with no active users, or networking platforms that feel more like LinkedIn than a path to genuine connection.

This guide looks at the major options available in Australia, the ones people actually use, to help you figure out which might work for you. Fair warning: we built one of these apps (Eventi), so we're obviously biased. We'll try to be fair about the others, but you should factor that in.

Quick Comparison

Eventi

Best for: activity-based connection, travellers, digital nomads, people who want to do things together

Eventi helps people connect through shared experiences. You can browse events in your city (concerts, festivals, markets), but the app is also used for general meetups: digital nomads finding others to work alongside, travellers looking for company, or anyone who just wants to meet up and do something.

The core feature is "Rooms", which are group chats organised around activities or events. The idea is that instead of matching with strangers and hoping you click, you connect with people around something you're both already interested in doing.

Limitations: Currently focused on Melbourne and Sydney. Still a newer app, so the user base is smaller than established platforms like Meetup. Works best if you actually want to do things together, not just chat.

Meetup

Best for: recurring hobby groups, professional networking, consistent community

Meetup organises people around shared interests through recurring group events. You join groups (photography club, hiking group, tech networking), RSVP to their scheduled events, and show up.

It's been around since 2002, which means it has one of the largest established user bases of any friend-making platform in Australia. Most groups are led by organisers who schedule regular meetups, whether weekly, monthly, or for specific occasions.

Limitations: Can feel formal. Some groups have rules, membership requirements, and structured formats. Events are scheduled in advance, so not great for spontaneous plans. Quality varies a lot depending on the organiser.

Bumble BFF

Best for: 1:1 connection, people comfortable with dating app mechanics

Bumble BFF is the friendship mode of the Bumble dating app. You create a profile, swipe through potential friends, and when you both swipe right, you can start messaging. It's essentially Tinder for platonic connection.

The interface will feel immediately familiar if you've used any dating app. Profiles include photos, a bio, interests, and prompts designed to show personality. Large user base across Australia thanks to Bumble's dating app popularity.

Limitations: Matching doesn't mean meeting. Many matches never progress past messaging. Can feel like dating, with profile pressure and endless swiping. No built-in activities, so once you match, you have to figure out what to do together.

Bunchups

Best for: introverts, people who prefer small gatherings

Bunchups focuses on small group activities rather than large meetups or 1:1 matching. You join or create activities (coffee, hiking, board games) designed for 3-5 people. The smaller group size means less pressure and more genuine conversation.

Limitations: Smaller user base in Australia. Activity availability depends heavily on what's been created in your area.

Facebook Groups

Best for: niche interests, people already on Facebook

Facebook Groups aren't designed specifically for friend-making, but local interest groups often serve that purpose. You'll find groups for "Melbourne Social Events," "Sydney Hiking," "New to Brisbane," and countless niche interests.

Limitations: Not designed for this purpose. Large groups with thousands of members can feel impersonal. Requires being on Facebook.

Niche Options

Peanut is designed for mothers to connect with other mums. If you're a parent looking for parent friends, this is more targeted than general apps.

Stitch is for people over 50 looking for companionship and friendship. More age-appropriate than mainstream apps if you're in that demographic.

Which App Should You Choose?

The best app is the one that matches how you naturally like to connect:

• Eventi if you want to meet people around shared activities, whether that's events, travel, co-working, or just exploring your city.
• Meetup if you want to join a recurring community like a hiking group, book club, or professional network that meets regularly.
• Bumble BFF if you're comfortable with profile-based matching and want to screen potential friends before meeting.
• Bunchups if you're introverted and find large groups exhausting.

You can also use multiple apps. They serve different purposes.

Tips for Actually Making Friends

Apps can facilitate connection, but they can't do the work for you. Here's what actually moves the needle:

• Show up consistently. Friendships form through repeated exposure. One event isn't enough.
• Initiate the second hang. Meeting someone once is just the beginning. The friendship forms when you suggest doing something again and follow through.
• Lower your expectations. Not every person you meet will become a close friend. That's normal.
• Give it time. Adult friendships typically take months to solidify, not weeks.

Final Thoughts

The best friend-making app is the one you'll actually use. Download one or two that match your style, commit to showing up, and give it a real shot.

Making friends as an adult takes more effort than it did when you were thrown together in classrooms or dorm rooms. But it's not impossible. People across Australia are looking for the same thing you are.

Something's happening in your city tonight. Someone else is going. Maybe you should too.

Frequently Asked Questions