Wunderman Thompson’s City Guide to Inspiration in Nature: Melbourne Edition

As the world’s leading researcher on inspiration, Wunderman Thompson knows a thing or two about the psychological link between people’s value systems and their sources of inspiration to predict how humanity will be inspired. In Wunderman Thompson’s Inspire InFocus report, being outdoors in nature ranked number one as the top of source of inspiration globally. Even though life is starting to “get back to normal”, many of our new habits formed during the pandemic, such as taking walks during work breaks or exploring nature in our own backyard, have endured. 

As we yearn to move, connect, and get off a plane and stretch our legs, out of a conference hall into fresh air, leave the confines of a hotel room, or even take a walking meeting or lunch in a park vs. a restaurant, here are some ideas for the next time you find yourself in some of the most inspirational cities around the world, for business or pleasure.

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Name: Adriana Agustin-Radelja and Sarah Fumo 

Title: Junior Creative Team 

City: Melbourne, Australia 

We’re a creative team from Melbourne, living on opposite sides of the city. 

With one of us hailing from the east and the other from the west, we’re able to find more inspiration from completely separate parts of the city. Living in the culture capital of Australia, finding inspiration is never far away, especially when we’re surrounded by snippets of nature. Being able to step away from your desk and find yourself on a lush walking trail is something we can’t take for granted living in the suburbs of Melbourne. With inspiration right on our doorstep and even when we venture a little further, there really is always something special around every corner. 

Q> Where is the best place to people watch in Melbourne?

Sarah> A fun place to people watch is Port Melbourne dog beach, which is always packed. Apart from the countless dogs, you’ve also dogless individuals trying to get any dog’s attention, and the odd attempts at a pick-up line. A trip there seems to always provide some sort of inspiration. Plus, as an added bonus, the sunrises there are crazy good

Q> What’s your favourite hike or walk? 

Adriana> Victoria is full of lush rainforest walks that make you feel like you’re in a fantasy world, but luckily for me there are plenty of walking trails and bushland reserves closer to me that feel just as magical. Another favourite if I’m venturing further would have to be just any walk along the coastline. Taking in ocean breezes and getting away from the city can make even the simplest of walks, all the more special. 

Q> What are some interesting natural attractions near your city that are worth checking out?

Sarah> A slightly underrated attraction is the lookout in Strath Creek. It’s roughly an hour from Melbourne and has great views of the Valley of a Thousand Hills. It’s pretty secluded and always quiet, so it’s a nice little spot to zone out and recharge. 

My photo doesn’t do the place justice, but if you zoom into the bottom right corner, you might just be able to make out the group of kangaroos.

Q> Which season inspires you the most in your part of the world and why? 

Adriana> As much as I dislike the season, winter is when I feel the most inspired. A rainy and gloomy day makes it so much easier to work, and much less tempting to veer away from my desk. Plus, the heavy rain on a tin roof is the perfect soundtrack for brainstorming (and it saves me searching for a 10-hour-long rain playlist to write to). 

Q> Anything else to add that might involve wildlife, especially critters or birds or a specific example of when you were inspired by nature? 

Sarah> On a rare occasion, you can spot dolphins in the Maribyrnong River. The river connects to both fresh and salt water. So, sometimes bottlenose dolphins travel too far upstream, and end up in the Maribyrnong. It’s a pretty cool sight to see while walking around the river. Even cooler for rowers, who by chance get to row next to them, although I’d never be game enough, as one time a suspected dolphin ended up being a bull shark.

LBB> And how about quick day trip or weekend trip to somewhere near your location? 

Adriana> About 1.5 hours from the centre of Melbourne is the Great Ocean Road, a heritage listed strip of road that takes you from beach town to beach town across the southern coast of Victoria. A weekend trip down there usually will usually see me ending up in Torquay to visit family and spending some time walking on coastal trails.