New to Melbourne or a few semesters in, our events make it easy to feel settled. You’ll find your people fast and get the most out of city life. It’s the simplest way to turn a room into a real home.

Student Events in Melbourne Make the most of every single week

Student events in Melbourne sit at the heart of life at Journal. Some weeks bring up to six or seven, so there’s always something on. From cooking classes to day trips and cultural nights, the calendar runs all semester.

Best of all, these are free events, included in your rent. You can rock up, join in and make friends without spending a cent. There’s no need to book weeks ahead either.

What’s on Across the Semester

There's always something on

Start of Semester Party

Kicking off each semester, this is our biggest party of the year. Music, food and hundreds of new faces make it the easiest night to meet your neighbours and start the term with mates.

Journal Explores

Our day trips take you beyond the books and out into Victoria. Past outings include Melbourne Zoo, St Kilda Beach, the Botanic Gardens, surfing lessons and paddle boarding by the bay.

Cooking Classes

Cook dishes you'll want to make again, from sushi and wontons to tiramisu and mooncakes. Our hands-on classes are a tasty way to learn new skills and share a meal with friends.

Creative Crafternoons

Crafternoons are our relaxed afternoon workshops for making something to keep. Paint a canvas, build a terrarium, try wool felting or design your own Journal tote bag with a cuppa in hand.

Fitness Classes

Break a sweat with our fitness classes. Take your pick from pilates, HIIT, football and rock climbing, plus crowd favourites like yoga.

Cultural Celebrations

Home feels closer when we celebrate together. Throughout the year we mark Chinese New Year, Diwali and the Moon Festival, so students from every background have a night that feels like theirs.

Come for the room, stay for the people

Building Friendships at Journal

More reasons to say yes

Speed Friends

Turning up in week one without knowing anyone can feel tough. Speed Friends is our fast, friendly way to meet dozens of residents in one evening. It's one of our most popular social events, and a favourite with international students finding their feet.

Open Day

Prospective students can see everything for themselves at Open Day. Attend one of our building tours to walk the rooms and social spaces, meet the team and ask us anything. You'll see how close we sit to the city and Melbourne's main universities.

People enjoying food together at an outdoor evening gathering.

Festival Season

Melbourne throws a festival for nearly everything, and we love making the most of it. Across the year we head out together to events like Moomba, Now or Never, andMidsumma. Keep an eye on our upcoming events so you never want to miss the city's biggest weekends.

3 young women at a yoga class

Wellness Sessions

Study stress is real, so we build in regular time to slow down. Our timetable includes guided meditation sessions, gentle yoga and mindful workshops that help you reset. Drop in when you need headspace, a quiet hour or a calmer start to a busy study week.

Networking Nights

Building a career starts a lot earlier than you think. Our networking nights bring in guest speakers, industry pros and Journal alumni who once lived where you do now. Swap advice, grow your contacts and pick up skills that help long after graduation.

Student Collectives

Some of the best events are dreamt up by residents themselves. Through our student leaders program, you can help run activities or join the Content Creator crew and enter competitions like our art contest. It's your calendar to help shape.

Who Our Events Are For

A spot for every kind of student

Everyone fits in here, from first-year undergrads to postgraduate researchers. Current students, newcomers and international students all find their crowd through events pitched at different tastes and stages. There’s no pressure to join it all, only an open door whenever you fancy it.

FAQs

Are Journal's events free?

Yes, every event on our calendar is free for residents. The cost sits inside your all-inclusive rent, so there are no tickets, sign-up fees or hidden extras. From cooking classes to day trips, you can join as much or as little as you like without spending more.

How do I find out what events are coming up?

Check the Journal app, emails, social channels and the noticeboards and lift posters around each property. We post upcoming events ahead, so you can plan your week around the ones you fancy. Our reception team is always happy to point you to whatever’s on next.

Do I need to sign up for events in advance?

We recommend signing up for events through the app so we know who’s coming and can keep you updated. Some activities, like cooking classes and crafternoons, have limited spots and can fill up quickly, while larger events such as Welcome Parties and Therapy Dogs are usually open for everyone to drop in. We’ll always let you know if an event requires booking.

Are there events for students under 18?

Younger residents are well looked after, with activities designed for under-18 students and a dedicated Student Life team on hand. Parents can feel reassured that events are age-appropriate and supervised. From craft afternoons to group outings, there’s plenty that helps them settle in and make friends quickly.

What if I'm new to Melbourne or a bit shy?

Feeling nervous is completely normal, and our events are built to make the first hello easy. Low-key catch-ups like Speed Friends and crafternoons take the pressure off meeting people. Many international students tell us the calendar was the fastest way to build a circle of friends here.

We're always up for a chat

We love hearing from students and parents alike. Reach out with any question and we'll get straight back to you.

Contact us