The beauty of going on a road trip is the absence of an obligation to follow the perfectly planned itinerary. Sometimes, impromptu plans turn out as one of the best memories you will have in your life. However, it is always better for a little planning and preparation to ensure your safety with a reliable and comfortable car to accompany you throughout the journey.
For this June holidays, here are some holiday destinations to visit within 6 hours of drive from Singapore:
1. Kota Tinggi
A natural beauty, Kota Tinggi is conveniently accessible just by a 2-hour drive from Singapore to spend your weekends there. There are 2 routes to get to Kota Tinggi, either by the causeway which is a faster path, or the Tuas checkpoint which is simpler to drive.
One of the main attractions in Kota Tinggi is the waterfall, a perfect place for your family to dip in and rest your mind from the busy lifestyle in Singapore. If the thought of being under the hot weather drains you out, the waterfall is the best way to cool yourself. It is important to note that cascading water may be dangerous for young children, hence you need to ensure you’re constantly watching over them at the waterfall.
After a day at the waterfall, continue your journey at the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park and witness the mesmerizing fireflies under the stars while riding on a boat. Not only is its environment well-preserved by the government as a firefly habitat, the park also offers outdoor studying for families to learn about protecting and appreciating nature. It is definitely a place to get away from city-life and gain enriching experiences closer to nature.
2. Desaru
Located 2 hours and 15 mins drive away from Singapore; Desaru is an ideal destination to unwind and relax close to the sea. You can reach Desaru by driving via the causeway to Kota Tinggi and follow the signboard to further your journey to Desaru.
Desaru is known for its white sandy beaches, located within 6 kilometres that overlooks the South China Sea. Relax your mind by listening to the sound of waves crashing against the shore while enjoying the cooling sea breeze, it is such a therapeutic experience! Apart from taking a casual dip in its shallow waters, you may also opt for more adrenaline rush activities such as parasailing or other water activities.
If water activities do not suit your liking, there are other more intriguing experiences waiting for you! The crocodile farm in Desaru allows you to see crocodiles in close proximity and offer hands-on activities such as feeding them with fresh chicken or holding a baby crocodile. Furthermore, you may want to visit the Ostrich Farm where you can get close and personal such as feeding the ostriches and riding on them.
3. Melaka
One of the most popular destinations where Singaporeans frequent is Melaka (Malacca), where you can reach there in a 3 to 4-hours’ drive from Singapore. To get there, you can drive through the North-South Highway and continue journeying along E2 till you take your exit from the expressway at Ayer Keroh.
The historical state of Malaysia, Melaka, is the place to visit if you are looking for a cultural experience and an eyeful of breath-taking sights. Christ Church is one of Malaysia’s cultural heritage, where it is recognized for its red brick walls located near Melaka’s Chinatown centre. A’Famosa is another well-known sightseeing spot, identified with a crumbling white-washed lone gate of the fort remains.
For those who are more adventurous, you may visit the hidden desert at Padang Pasir Klebang. Situated by the ocean, the desert is a reclaimed land of powdery white sand dunes located just a short 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre. Despite its short journey there, do remember to enter “Pantai Klebang” into your GPS system before you head off to prevent getting lost.
4. Kuala Lumpur
Another most frequented destination for Singaporeans, Kuala Lumpur, takes approximately 5 hours of driving via the North-South highway. The thought of being on a car ride for 5 hours straight must be suffocating, do remember to take a break at the rest stop in Melaka; your car needs some rest too!
As the capital city of Malaysia, it is filled with blooming skyscrapers such as the world’s tallest twin structure, Petronas Twin Towers. Accompanying its astonishing architecture, Suria KLCC, a high-end shopping mall located at the base of the building, is definitely worth a visit, especially amongst tourists.
A 10 minutes’ drive away from the city centre, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is the world’s largest free-flight walk-in aviary, is best suited for families to visit. Its concept of free-flight contributes to the environment that resembles a tropical rainforest, allowing you to experience being in the “wild” and witnessing the home to over 3000 birds.
5. Bandar Sunway
An approximate of 4 to 5 hours’ drive to Bandar Sunway may sound dreading, but here is a simpler route to ease your long journey. Take the road for the 2nd link at Tuas as it is straighter, your journey will be a less challenging one. Additionally, you will not come across the confusing road signs as there is no need to pass by Johor Bahru. Continue to follow the road towards Kuala Lumpur and steer towards the North-South Highway while you drive straight till you reached the Seremban signage. With that, do look out for PJ or USJ and continue your journey to KL Sunway Lagoon Resort; you will then easily reach Bandar Sunway for your short holiday.
Sunway Lagoon Water Park is the best place to beat the heat away while providing a variety of activities suited for both young and old. Apart from the usual water activities in a water park, Sunway Lagoon Water Park brings about exciting performance and character appearance which children love. Not forgetting to mention that it is one of the largest man-made surf beaches and was ranked 5th under TripAdvisor’s Asia’s Top Water Parks list.
You can also visit the Sunway Lagoon Wildlife Park to get up close with more than 150 animal species, and enjoy feeding activities in the Pet Village or watching performances in the Wildlife Theatre. Certainly, animal shows and performance are not to be missed, making your trip there an enriching yet entertaining one.
With this, we have reached the halfway mark of the June holidays unknowingly. Let’s not waste any more precious time to create the most valuable memories with our loved ones, and head off!
