YouGov 2023 Research: The Benefits of Adventure
Research Summary

A new national survey from Australia’s largest adventure site, Adrenaline, has revealed a new self-care trend is sweeping the nation, as Aussies seek adventurous experiences to boost their mental health and wellbeing this summer.
State of the nation:
Aussies and their feelings about mental health, wellbeing and routines

• While the majority of Aussies (95%) agree their mental health and wellbeing is important to them, over half (55%) have struggled with it in the past 12 months.
  • Note: Results skew higher in younger demos, with 64% of 18-24 year olds and 60% of 25-34 year olds saying they’ve struggled in the past year.
• As a result, three in four (75%) agree that their mental health and wellbeing could be better.
  • Note: Younger generations over index here too, with 83% of 18-24 year olds and 85% of 25-34 year olds agreeing their mental health and wellbeing could be better.
• One in two (49%) are dissatisfied with the lack of excitement in their lives, while 57% of Aussies feel ‘stuck’ in their day-to-day routine and 53% admit bad habits are negatively impacting their mental health.
  • Note: Bad habits skew higher amongst 18-24 year olds, with 73% believing these habits negatively impacting them

Aussies and adventure: How it makes them feel and what’s holding them back

• Over half (53%) are considering adventuring to improve their mental health and wellbeing this summer, with three quarters (77%) of 18-34 year olds willing to give it a go.
• However, there are a number of obstacles holding them back, with concerns about affordability (38%), not wanting to go alone (22%) and not feeling adventurous enough (19%) coming out on top. Interestingly, one in ten (10%) Aussies admit scrolling on their phone is preventing them from going on new adventures.
  • Note: Other obstacles include procrastinating (19%), fear of going outside of a comfort zone (18%), not knowing where to start (16%), and not having enough time (16%).
• Research has shown that completing an adventure can have a transformative effect on Aussies’ feelings, with prominent feelings of excitement (41%), anticipation (29%) and nervousness (28%) before an adventure becoming accomplishment (51%), fun (38%) and relaxed (29%) afterwards.
• Note: One in five (20%) Aussies also say they feel free after an adventure.

The true value of adventure: Why Aussies’ are embracing adventure - and the benefits of them doing so

• The vast majority of Aussies (94%) agree that going on an adventure has benefited them. As a result, they’ve picked up an appetite for adventure, with eight in ten (83%) 18-34 year olds agreeing they’d like to go on more in the future.
• Aussies are willing to spend $135.69 on average each month in order to boost their mental health and wellbeing - and men are open to spending more on this than women ($157.77 vs. $115.79).
• Aussies are looking for new ways to inject some fun back into their daily lives, including seeking adventurous experiences such as skydiving, snorkelling and canyoning - which makes them feel happier (45%), more self confident (33%) and more accomplished (43%).
• While 68% of Aussies admit they often forget, or don't realise how good it is, when they include adventure in their lives - the benefits of adventurous experiences on the nation are clear.
  • 67% agree adventure has pushed them to do more for themselves
  • 56% say adventure has made them reevaluate their fears
  • 55% can handle stressful situations better
  • Two in five (40%) actively seek out new adventures to boost their mental health and wellbeing
• As a result, three in five (59%) can't imagine a life without adventure in it

Future gazing: Here’s what Aussies are planning for the months ahead

• Forget wedding season, Aussies want to adventure instead! The nation has spoken - and Aussies are more excited about snorkelling with dolphins (34%), driving a race car (22%) and skydiving (18%), than they are attending a wedding (14%).
• It’s official. Whale-watching, helicopter rides and hiking have been ranked top of Aussies’ adventure wishlist this summer. The top ten list of adventures is as follows:
  • Whale-watching (45%)
  • Helicopter ride (41%)
  • Hiking (41%)
  • Hot air balloon ride (40%)
  • Going to a theme park (38%)
  • Horse riding (31%)
  • Driving experiences (e.g. race car driving experience) (27%)
  • Water sports (e.g. jet-boats, jet packs, jet skis and white-water rafting) (29%)
  • Dolphin/shark-swimming (28%)
  • Skydiving (20%)

• Aussies just want to have fun! 69% say they’re planning more adventures to have fun, whilst 53% are looking to add excitement to their lives and 48% want to create unforgettable memories.
  • Meanwhile, a third of Aussies (33%) admit they’d like to go on an adventure to break out of a rut, while 37% want to unwind from the stresses of day-to-day life.

About the research
Commissioned by Adrenaline in conjunction with YouGov, the research was conducted online in October, 2023. Findings are based on a nationally representative sample of over 1,000 Australians.