Fair Dinkum Traveller Checklist: 10 Ways to Know You’re One of Us

Are you the kind of person who daydreams about your next adventure while you’re still on your current one? Do you have an insatiable need to explore, experience, and embrace the world in all its messy, beautiful glory? You might be a Fair Dinkum Traveller if you answered “yes” to any of that.

It’s not just about jet-setting or taking Instagram-worthy photos (though we love a good sunset snap). It’s about the deeper connection – to places, people, and culture. It’s the craving for the unfamiliar and the excitement that comes with being somewhere new yet feeling strangely at home.

A Fair Dinkum Traveller isn’t a typical tourist. We thrive on authentic experiences, whether wandering through hidden alleys, tasting bizarre street food, getting lost in a foreign city and loving every minute. We embrace the quirks, roll with the punches, and cherish the misadventures as much as the perfectly planned moments.

So, how can you tell if you’re genuinely one of us? Here are ten signs that you’re a certified Fair Dinkum Traveller. Read on, and if you nod to most of these, welcome to the club!

 

 

 

1. You Pack Like a Pro… But Always with a Twist

Packing light? Oh yeah, you’ve nailed that. But you don’t just throw in the basics – nope, you’ve got the essentials and the quirky extras.

Reusable chopsticks, collapsible water bottles, a pocket-sized first aid kit, and that weird but practical travel pillow make you look like a human doughnut.

A Fair Dinkum Traveller is always prepared for whatever the road throws at them, from surprise rainstorms to impromptu picnics on the beach.

 

2. You Greet the World in Every Language

It doesn’t matter if you’ve just landed in Osaka or touched down in Seoul; you take pride in learning at least a few phrases in the local language. “Hello” and “thank you” are non-negotiables.

You’ve got your “Annyeong” (안녕) and “Gamsahamnida” (감사합니다) for Korea, “Sawadee ka” (สวัสดีค่ะ) and “Khop khun ka” (ขอบคุณค่ะ) for Thailand, “Selamat pagi” and “Terima Kasih” for Indonesia, and even a few “Ni hao” (你好) and “Xie xie” (谢谢) for China.

It’s not just about getting by – it’s about showing respect for the culture, and Fair Dinkum Travellers know that language is the key to connecting with locals.

 

 

 

 

3. You’re a Public Transport Whisperer

A fair dinkum traveller can navigate public transport like a seasoned local, whether figuring out the MRT in Singapore or hailing a tuk-tuk in Cambodia.

Sure, you might get on the wrong bus occasionally (who hasn’t?), but it’s all part of the experience. The thrill of hopping onto a packed train, listening for your stop in a foreign language, and emerging in a completely new neighbourhood?

That’s the good stuff. Bonus points if you’ve mastered the hand signals or head nods to catch a ride in a language you don’t speak.

 

 

4. Your Passport is More Valuable Than Gold

While some people may treasure their jewellery or gadgets, for you, there’s nothing more precious than your passport. With pages total of stamps, each one tells a story of adventure, from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil beaches of Bali.

You probably have a specific spot in your home or bag for it, and the thought of losing it sends shivers down your spine. It’s not just a document – it’s your golden ticket to the world.

 

 

5. You Have a Built-in Radar for the Best Local Food

Forget the touristy restaurants with inflated prices and bland food – you’re all about the street food stalls and mom-and-pop eateries serving authentic, mouthwatering dishes.

You don’t need a guidebook to tell you where to eat. Your senses take over the moment you step foot in a new place.

The smell of grilling satay or simmering pho draws you in, and soon, you’re eating like a local, often for just a few bucks, whether it’s at a hawker centre in Singapore, a food cart in Malaysia, or a roadside stand in Vietnam, you know where the natural culinary treasures lie.

 

 

 

 

6. You Can Sleep in the Weirdest Places – and You’ve Got Proof

A true traveller can catch a few winks anywhere. Whether it’s nodding off on a long-haul flight, dozing in an airport chair, or even catching some shut-eye on a rocky bus ride through the hills of Laos, you’ve done it all.

It’s a skill born out of necessity – because when you’re constantly on the move, you take sleep wherever and whenever you can. Bedtime routines? Ha! A fair dinkum traveller doesn’t need one.

 

 

7. You’ve Got Leftover Currency from Every Country You’ve Been To

Most people exchange their leftover currency when they leave a country, but not you. You’ve got random coins and notes from all over the world, and every time you find a stash in your drawer, it’s like a little treasure trove of memories.

Thai baht, Singapore dollars, Vietnamese dong, Malaysian ringgit – they’re all part of your quirky souvenir collection. Plus, you never know when you’ll need them for a spontaneous trip back!

 

 

8. You Make Friends Everywhere – Even if it’s Just for a Day

When you’re a true traveller, you understand that one of the most rewarding aspects of travelling is connecting with new people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Whether it’s bonding with a fellow traveller over beers in a hostel or sharing laughs with locals at a market, you’re always open to making connections. Sometimes, these friendships last only a day but are meaningful nonetheless.

You swap stories, learn from each other, and maybe even exchange social media handles before parting ways, but those fleeting moments often leave the most significant impact.

 

 

9. You’re a Haggling Ninja

Markets are your playground, and haggling is your game. You’ve learned the art of negotiation, balancing politeness with firmness, and you’ve got a sixth sense of what something should cost.

When you walk away with a bargain, it’s not just about saving money – it’s about the thrill of the chase. And when you pay a little more than planned? You know it’s all part of the experience.

 

 

10. You’re Already Planning Your Next Trip Before the Current One is Over

As you stand on Thailand’s beaches or wander through Cambodia’s temples, your mind is already spinning with ideas for your next adventure.

The excitement of travel never entirely leaves you – even when you’re in the middle of a fantastic trip, you can’t help but dream of what’s next. A true Fair Dinkum Traveller is always planning and constantly seeking new horizons.

 

A Conclusion to the Fair Dinkum Traveller Checklist: To Know You’re One of Us

So, how many of these quirky traits do you recognise in yourself? If you were ticking off most of these signs, congratulations – you’re a bona fide Fair Dinkum Traveller!

Whether you’re packing for your next trip or daydreaming about it from the comfort of your home, this traveller’s spirit never indeed rests.

But before you head off on your next adventure, here are a couple of questions for you: Where in the world will your wanderlust take you next? And are you ready to embrace all the unexpected, wild, and beautiful experiences that lie ahead?