How to get the locals to show you around town!

• A quick Google search on 'liveliest social activity network Australia' will point you to some good idea's.
  
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  If you're new in town, then you may be interested to join one of the social activity networks that have started up in the last couple of years.
  
  Some of them offer a very relaxed and easy way to meet the locals, and fast track the establishment of a circle of friends in your new (temporary or permanent) home. Plus you get to do the stuff the locals do, let them show you the best beaches & pubs, the grooviest clubs, and the best hiking tracks - without having to go on an overpriced commercial tour or eat banana pancakes all the time.
  
  This is exactly what I have done, 5 years ago - after having arrived in Sydney 7 years earlier (from Belgium). More: I've actually started up the first Australian activity network of its kinds (and probably the first in the world) !
  
  A quick Google search on 'liveliest social activity network Australia' should quickly point you in the right direction.
  
  The site's not free though - will cost you anywhere between $4 and $10 per month. But for in return you get to join 300 local activities per week, meet great people or create your own activities (for which you can claim a free subscription!) - without having to put up with phoney profiles, marriage proposals or spam. If it is free you want: try Yahoo Groups or Facebook
  
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  Anyway, I like my site, because it keeps me real and away from my PC (and my Facebook profile) Instead, I can participate in all kinds of activities that I didn't even know existed, or that had been inaccessible to me for all kinds of reasons.
  
  I have established a very wide network of great friends and contacts.
  
  I have been on helicopter flights, sailing weekends, bush trecks, treasury hunts, gallery tours, private wine tasting nights, dinner dates, snorkeling weekends, the top of Mount Kosciusko, Shark Island, mussel parties, High Tea's, wine tasting tours, deep ocean fishing trips and canoing weekends. I have played kubb, aqua-golf, supa golf, mini golf, roller blading, soccer, basket ball, ten pin bowling, ultimate frisbee. I have been close and personal with grey nurse sharks, orka's and stingrays (the one that got Steve!), ...
  
  Best of all is that all these activities I am doing in the company, and sometimes under the guidance of old and new found friends.
  
  I also like my social activity network because it is informal, personal, non-judgmental, tolerant, empowering, open minded and all inclusive.
  
  And because all activities here are organised by people just like me, who invite me because they enjoy my company (i hope), and not because i am on a bulk email list of some commercial operator.

  06 Dec 2008, 01:43 Jelle