U3A Melbourne City offers special interest social groups that meet regularly throughout the year, in some cases weekly or monthly. Once you have enrolled in a group, regular attendance is not compulsory: you are free to attend as many or as few of their activities as you wish.
The most up-to-date information on Let’s Do groups is available through the MyU3A Portal. Once you join, the group leader will be in touch regularly to keep you updated on your group’s activities.
You must be a member of U3A Melbourne City to take part in these groups. To join, click here.
LET’S DO CYCLING
These groups are run by experienced, fit cyclists. You may join either Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday groups. We usually meet at Fed Square at 9:30 am and aim to return by 12:30 pm. Medium level fitness is required for the 30-40 km round trips, although the Monday group is less strenuous (10-15 km).
LET’S DO LAWN BOWLS
Two informal groups meet each Tuesday and Wednesday at Fitzroy Victoria Bowls Club to learn, practice and play impromptu games. Equipment and coaching are available. No experience required. Rink hire is $10 per person per day.
LET’S DO MOVIES
Six groups for film lovers to watch a movie together, followed or preceded by a relaxed discussion at the cinema cafe/bar or one nearby. A Tuesday and Friday group meet at the Como South Yarra, or join a Monday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday group at the Kino in the city. Time varies depending on cinema scheduling and details are emailed to participants.
LET’S DO MUSEUMS, GALLERIES AND CULTURAL EVENTS
This group is for those with an interest in exploring Melbourne’s heritage and contemporary art spaces. It meets monthly on Thursdays and everyone is invited for afternoon tea to discuss what they have seen. There is a rolling three-month program so you can diarise your attendance in advance.
LET’S DO NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE
This group meets on Wednesday mornings about once a month at the Sun Theatre, Yarraville, to watch transmissions of performances from London’s National Theatre and other UK theatre companies. Afterwards, members are invited to a local café or pub, for a drink or meal and discussion. Members are responsible for organising their own tickets.
LET’S DO OPERA ON SCREEN
This group meets on Wednesday mornings about once a month at the Sun Theatre, Yarraville, to watch transmissions of live performances from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera. Afterwards, members are invited to a local café for tea/coffee, etc. Members are responsible for organising their own tickets.
LET’S DO PHOTOGRAPHY
The group meets fortnightly to take photographs around the city both outdoors and indoors. Meetings are organised around a theme/subject and everyone is encouraged to share photos and exchange techniques and ideas. All levels welcome. The convenor will alert the group where and when to meet, which will vary depending on the season.
LET’S DO PICKLEBALL
Pickle Ball is a cross between tennis and table tennis, played with a hard bat (paddle) and a soft ball on a badminton-sized court (watch video here). No experience necessary. We meet each Monday. This is a “pay as you go” activity costing members $10 to play and $5 for paddle hire.
LET’S DO PUB LUNCH
Members can join an informal lunch at a pub in various locations in or around the CBD on either the second or fourth Sunday of the month. Members will be notified of the location 10-12 days prior and will pay for their lunch individually.
LET’S DO THEATRE
This group is for theatre lovers. We will attend a variety of afternoon/early evening performances, and will meet in the theatre foyer prior to the show. Following the performance we generally go for a drink/meal somewhere nearby. Shows are organised approximately monthly, Saturday OR Sunday matinees and an email will be sent out well in advance. Members are responsible for purchasing their own tickets.
LET’S DO WALKS (FEDERATION SQUARE)
You can join either the Tuesday (weekly) or Friday (fortnightly) group. Both meet at Federation Square at 10am, though we sometimes take public transport to a different starting point. We usually walk around 8 kms (about 2 hours) and there is always a coffee stop. The only prerequisite is comfy shoes. Both groups continue during term breaks (except January). Walks may be shortened due to heat or rain.
LET’S DO WALKS (HAMER HALL)
We meet outside Hamer Hall each Tuesday at 10am unless otherwise advised. Duration of the walks are about two hours plus a coffee stop and are around 8km. We sometimes use public transport which will add to the total time. We walk in all weathers, but only during the official U3A terms.
LET’S DO LONG WALKS
We meet on the third Wednesday of the month at a suburban railway station with the walks starting at 10:30 am. The walks are approximately 10-12 km using footpaths or walking tracks and conclude at approximately 1pm, when attendees can have lunch or a coffee.
LET’S DO ALL-DAY EXCURSIONS
We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 9 am for an excursion in a suburban or near-country area. We walk at a relaxed pace for up to 10 km, on footpaths and walking tracks, taking a train from a suburban station or Southern Cross to the start of our walk, returning around 4 pm. We have lunch in a cafe, or BYO lunch in a park.
LET’S DO WEEKEND WALKS
We meet once a month for a weekend walk, at an easy or medium pace, around Melbourne. Details of the walk, including transport and cafes will be provided by the tutor. Sessions vary, but generally occur on the second or third weekend of the month.
LET’S DO YARRA RAMBLERS
We meet once per term (day to be advised), at a destination advised by the tutor and then “ramble”, to see the Yarra or bush areas. We will have a bit of a ‘natural/enviro’ theme, so we tend to pause for points-of-interest or nature. Walks are about 2 hours plus a coffee stop and breaks (8 – 9 km), with generally flat walking overall. We walk in most weather.
LET’S DO WEEKENDS
This group meets on the first Saturday or Sunday of every month, including school holidays. Members have a chance to try something interesting and stimulating, such as visiting gardens, going to the races or taking a boat trip. Participants discuss the program at the beginning of the year.
Do you feel inspired to start a Let’s Do Group of your own? We would love to hear from you. Please send an email, outlining your idea for an activity, to . Don’t forget to include your full contact details. One of our coordinators will be in touch with you.
Privacy disclosure: When you enrol in a Let’s Do Group, your group leader will use your email address to notify you about the Group’s activities, such as the film the Let’s Do Movies group will see next week, or the starting point for the walk for Let’s Do Long Walks.