Hellobee Boards

I can, and we're in Sydney as well
My husband has two very close friends, but neither of them have kids, so its been a difficult adjustment and I think he feels left out a lot of the time. He has a couple of dad friends but as you say, he doesn't always feel comfortable calling them up and hanging alone.
Playdate??

@Grace: my DH had the same experience when he moved to Seattle, it took a really long time.

I would take advantage of having your LO and see if there are any dad & kid play groups or classes they could do together. I'm sure it's still harder for guys to connect this way but at least he would be around other new dads who are also going thru a big life change.

What about a softball team??

We moved last year to be nearer my parents and DH works from home as well. He's never admitted to being lonely but I think he is at times. My DH is into music and he met a guy at the local music store who invited him out to a open mic night. We've also been going to church. The people there have been very welcoming, but it just takes time to get to know people!

Hiking/walking club or groups?Or maybe plan some family playdates to introduce him to the partners of your friends you think he might like?

I can commiserate that it's hard...right now as a SAHM with our two kids, my husband has said indirectly that he feels like I have so many good friends (as a result of moms groups, school, etc). We are in the process of moving and I know it makes him feel bad that he thinks I have more social obligations (ie more goodbyes to say) than he does, and he seems a bit sad about it. However, I think once we move the tables will be turned as he has lots of old friends in the location we are moving to, and I really don't.

My husband went through this recently, he didn't seem too bothered by it actually, I was more bothered because it meant I felt responsible for fulfilling all the roles of friends as well as wife.

In Toronto there is a sports and social league and he signed up for tennis and soccer. The tennis didn't yeald any friendships but the soccer team turned out great and now he has a set of friends he sees regularly for nights out, etc. I would recommend a team sport like that, where it's easy to go out for a drink afterwards.