This study seeks to advance the literature on adventure tourism through providing comparative insights into Australian, Chinese, and German youth consumer associations with adventure tourism. Derived from a pre-interview survey of a qualitative study (N = 91), this paper overviews activities and characteristics that youth consumers' associate with adventure tourism, personal traits that relate to their adventure tourism propensity, and their level of interest in six specific adventure tourism activities as assessed via a photo elicitation activity. Results indicate subtle differences between the three national cultures, such as a more negative perception of adventure tourism and less inclination to participate with Chinese compared to Australian and German youth consumers. Yet, there were limited overall differences between cultures which points towards cultural homogenisation of youth consumer perceptions and the inadequateness of quantitative research to identify and decode cultural differences.