Aussie life in Hong Kong: community, sport, food

You will not be the only Australian in the lift. Hong Kong has one of the biggest Aussie communities anywhere in Asia, and it is easy to plug into.

The short version

AustCham Hong Kong says the city is home to over 100,000 Australians [1].
A whole ecosystem of Australian groups exists, from alumni and professional bodies to the Australian Association of Hong Kong [1].
The Hong Kong Sevens returns to Kai Tak Stadium on 9 to 11 April 2027 [2].
The Australian International School Hong Kong in Kowloon Tong teaches the NSW HSC as well as the IB [3].
Join Cooee Hong Kong, our Facebook group, for the day-to-day questions.

How big is the community?

Big. AustCham's community page puts the number of Australians living in Hong Kong at more than 100,000 [1]. Many are Hong Kong-born Australians who moved back, dual citizens, or families who have split their lives between the two places for decades. The rest are the classic expat mix: finance, law, education, hospitality, construction, aviation and tech.

That mix matters. You will meet Australians who speak fluent Cantonese and grew up in Sha Tin, alongside people who arrived from Brisbane last Tuesday. Both are good company, and both know things you don't.

The networks worth knowing

Australian life in Hong Kong is unusually organised. AustCham lists a group of Australian organisations that work together under the Support Australia Group banner [1]. Here is a quick map.

Type	Examples listed by AustCham [1]	Good for
Business	Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AustCham)	Networking, events, committees
Social and community	Australian Association of Hong Kong; Australian Chinese Association of Hong Kong	Social events and community ties
Professional	CPA Australia; Chartered Accountants ANZ; Engineers Australia; Australian Doctors and Dentists Hong Kong	Keeping your professional links alive
Alumni	Federation of Australian Alumni Association	Meeting people from your old uni
Government	Australian Consulate-General; Austrade; state trade offices	Passports, consular help, trade
Education	Australian International School Hong Kong	Families wanting an Aussie curriculum

AustCham

AustCham calls itself the peak body for Australian business in Hong Kong [1]. Beyond the business lunches, it runs committees and networks, including a Young Professionals Network, a Women in Business Network and a Sports and Entertainment committee [4]. Its calendar mixes seminars with lighter nights; in November 2026 that included a Tasmanian whisky tasting [4]. If you are new and your employer is a member, ask to be added.

The Consulate-General

The Australian Consulate-General sits on the 23rd floor of Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai [5]. It handles passports, notarial services and appointments. It is also the place to know about before election day, because you can vote from overseas. Our voting from overseas guide explains how to stay on the roll.

Sport: where Australians find each other

The Hong Kong Sevens

If one weekend defines Aussie life in Hong Kong, it is the Sevens. The tournament celebrated its 50th edition in 2026 and returns to the new Kai Tak Stadium on 9 to 11 April 2027 [2]. Tickets go fast and fancy dress is half the point. Book leave early.

Footy, cricket, netball and more

Hong Kong has an active amateur sports scene, and Australians are well represented in it. There are clubs for Australian rules football, cricket, rugby, netball, touch and hockey, plus dragon boat crews that train year-round. Club line-ups and contacts change from season to season, so the fastest way to find a team is to ask in the Cooee Hong Kong group or through AustCham's sports committee [4].

A practical tip: summer is very hot and humid from May to October, and typhoons cancel fixtures and close transport [6]. Train early in the morning, carry more water than you think, and keep an eye on the Hong Kong Observatory.

Watching from afar

Grand final day and the Melbourne Cup fall at sociable hours in Hong Kong, since the city is only two or three hours behind the east coast depending on daylight saving. Expect packed pubs in Wan Chai, Lan Kwai Fong and Sai Kung. Big Bash and State of Origin nights pull a crowd too.

A taste of home

Missing Vegemite, Tim Tams and a proper flat white? You can find them.

Supermarkets: the larger chains and premium grocers carry Australian brands, at a premium.
Butchers and wine: Australian beef, lamb and wine are easy to find in supermarkets, butchers and bottle shops.
Cafes: Australian-style brunch cafes are part of the scene, especially on the Island side.
Pies and sausage rolls: harder to find than you would like. Ask the group where the current favourite is; the answer changes.

And then go local. A dim sum morning, a cha chaan teng milk tea or a seafood night on Lamma will win you over faster than any imported pie.

Weekends the Aussie way

Hong Kong surprises Australians with how much nature sits next to the towers. A classic outdoorsy weekend list:

Hike. Dragon's Back, Lion Rock and the MacLehose Trail are classics. Start early in summer.
Hit the beach. Big Wave Bay, Shek O and the Sai Kung beaches feel a long way from Central.
Get on the water. Junk trips are a summer ritual. Split the hire between a group of mates.
Swim and paddle. Ocean swims, outrigger and dragon boat crews welcome newcomers.
Escape for a weekend. Macau is a ferry ride away. Smartraveller reminds you to travel on your Australian passport for Macau and mainland China [6].

Staying connected to Australia

Living in Hong Kong is close enough to home that many Australians fly back several times a year. Keep your Australian accounts and phone number working; our guide to keeping your Australian bank, number and accounts while abroad has the checklist.

If you drive, your Australian licence or an International Driving Permit can be used for up to 12 months [6]. After that, check the Transport Department's rules for converting it.

Families wanting an Australian curriculum can look at the Australian International School Hong Kong in Kowloon Tong, which runs from Reception to Year 12 and offers both the HSC and the IB [3]. Our international schools guide compares it with the alternatives.

Give back while you are here

Volunteering is one of the quickest ways to meet people outside work, and it gives your week some shape beyond the office. Ask the groups AustCham lists whether they need hands for events and committees [1], or look for local charities that welcome English speakers. Committees in particular are always short of people who turn up.

Find your mob

Homesickness is real, even in a city this busy. The cure is people. Join Cooee Hong Kong, our Facebook group for Australians in Hong Kong, introduce yourself, and say yes to the first invitation that comes your way.

Aussie life in Hong Kong: 100,000 of us and a rugby weekend