Top 10 Ways To Meet People Over 60 In Australia

As we get older it can be harder to meet new people, especially once you've knocked off work for good or moved to a new suburb or town. But staying social matters, and it's good for the head as well as the heart. Here are ten ways for Aussies over 60 to meet other over 60s, online dating included:

• Join A Bushwalking Group

  A walking or bushwalking club is a ripper way to keep moving and have a yarn at the same time. Plenty of clubs run easy, flat tracks aimed squarely at older walkers, whether that's a coastal path, a national park circuit or a loop around the local reserve. Your council website and the state bushwalking federation both list groups near you. And if you'd rather start small, a Saturday morning parkrun is free, welcomes walkers, and usually finishes at the nearest café.

• Head To A Seniors Centre Or Neighbourhood House

  Just about every council area has a seniors centre, community centre or Neighbourhood House running things for older locals: gentle exercise classes, morning teas, card afternoons, health talks and day trips. Most cost next to nothing, and your Seniors Card will knock a bit more off. It's an easy, low-pressure spot to meet people who live close by.

• Get Along To A Tech Class For Seniors

  If the smartphone still gets the better of you, you're in good company. Free programs like Be Connected and Tech Savvy Seniors run through local libraries and Neighbourhood Houses, teaching everything from video calls with the grandkids to online banking and, yes, dating apps. You'll pick up handy skills and get chatting with a room full of people in exactly the same boat.

• Go To A Social Dance

  Old-time and new vogue dances are alive and well at RSLs, memorial halls and community centres right around the country, usually with a cuppa and a plate of sandwiches at half time. Line dancing and social ballroom classes are popular too. You don't need a partner and you don't need to be any good. Nobody's marking you.

• Join A Local Historical Society

  Your local historical society is full of people who love a good story about the place they live. They put on talks, heritage walks, cemetery tours and open days, and they're always after a hand with archives and photos. Family history groups are worth a look as well, especially if you've been meaning to sort out the family tree. Good for the grey matter and good for the social calendar.

• Catch A Seniors Session At The Cinema

  Most of the big cinema chains run discounted seniors screenings during the week, often with a tea or coffee and a biscuit thrown in before the film. Some libraries and community centres host free film afternoons too. Turn up a bit early, have a chat in the foyer, and stick around afterwards to pull the movie apart over a coffee.

• Join A Book Club

  Nearly every public library in the country runs book clubs, and a fair few are aimed at retirees and meet during the day. If a full club sounds like homework, look for a book chat or writers' group instead. Same crowd, less pressure. Either way you'll get a decent read and a decent conversation out of it.

• Try An Art Class

  Community art centres, U3A branches and TAFEs all run classes for older beginners, from watercolours and life drawing to pottery, printmaking and woodwork. U3A in particular is run by and for retirees, costs very little, and covers everything from painting to philosophy. If you're a bloke who'd rather build something than paint it, your local Men's Shed is one of the best places going for making mates over a project. There are Women's Sheds popping up now too.

• Do A Cooking Class

  Cooking classes are a natural fit for meeting people, because you end up sharing a table at the end of it. Neighbourhood Houses, community kitchens and TAFEs run short courses, and plenty are pitched at people cooking for one or two after years of feeding a whole family. Cooking for one doesn't have to mean toast in front of the telly.

• Online Dating

  Last but not least, online dating is well worth a crack. Sites built for older Australians, like Singles Over 60, take the guesswork out of it, because everyone's in the same age bracket and everyone's there for the same reason. You get search filters, messaging and the option to take your time before you meet in person. Put a bit of effort into your profile, use a recent photo, be straight about what you're after, and say yes to a coffee when it feels right. Take the usual sensible precautions: meet somewhere public the first time and let someone know where you're off to.

So there you have it. There's no shortage of ways for over 60s in Australia to meet other over 60s. Whether it's a bushwalking club, a morning at the local Neighbourhood House or a punt on online dating, the trick is simply to stay in the mix. It's good for you, and it's a lot more fun than the alternative. Pick one, give it a go, and see who you meet along the way.

Look who else just joined

Loading members...