Countryside getaway in Singapore
Maybe you’ve used up all your AL for the year but you still want a trip out of the city. Good thing there are local alternatives like a rustic countryside getaway, that might just be the ideal proposition to those not keen on leaving the country.
From feeding hungry goats to having a staycay in a farm villa, you can enjoy the serene side of life at these countryside getaway spots in Singapore. And there’s a $5 shuttle service set to take you to any of the locations you wish to visit, so yay to not walking under the hot sun.
Table of Contents
- Countryside getaway in Singapore
- 1. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – Embark on scenic walking trails
- 2. Gardenasia Bistro – Dine on fresh farm-to-table meals
- 3. Kranji Marshes – Spot migratory birds from a 3-storey tall tower
- 4. Bollywood Farms – Kampong-style eats & farm tours
- 5. Hay Dairies – Feed goats & purchase their fresh milk
- 6. Auntie’s Fishing Pond At Neo Tiew Cres – Rustic kampong fishing
- Bonus: Gallop Kranji Farm Resort – Relax in a countryside villa with farm tours
- Access these countryside attractions with a $5 shuttle
- Unwind from the daily hustle with a countryside getaway in Singapore
1. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – Embark on scenic walking trails
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve’s Visitor Centre.
Image credit: NParks
Gear up for an ecological trek at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, where you can feast your eyes on flora and fauna as you explore the reserve’s 4 trails. The Forest Trail (1.1km) surrounds you with a host of plants and intersects with the Mid-Canopy Walk (0.15km), a path across a suspension bridge that’s perfect for those IG story moments.
Eagle Point at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
Image credit: NParks
As its name suggests, the Coastal Trail (3.2km) takes you on a breezy jaunt down Singapore’s coastline. Observation pods are scattered all around the park to provide unobstructed views of the reserve, and the Coastal Trail leads you to one of them. Eagle Point is where you’ll be treated to a sight for sore eyes.
Birdwatchers can opt for the Migratory Bird Trail (2.3km), which has promising spots to sight rare birds. Along the path, 5 shelters let you rest and recharge while letting you take refuge in the case of inclement weather.
Young Nautilus organises monthly Nature Walks through the wetlands for little ones. Keep a lookout for announcements on new dates on the Young Nautilus Instagram page.
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2. Gardenasia Bistro – Dine on fresh farm-to-table meals
Image credit: Gardenasia
All in the name of nature, Gardenasia Bistro offers a slew of countryside activities to keep your mind off the stressful things in life. From Wednesdays to Fridays, you can grab a set lunch ($23.80), which comes with your choice of mains like fish & chips or seafood aglio olio. This comes with soup of the day and an ice lemon tea.
You’ll even get a scoop of gelato made with locally-sourced vegetables at Bistro by Gardenasia. Try unique flavours like Arugula Oat, Round Spinach, and Kale Coconut.
Image credit: Junjie Teo via Google Maps
While much of the space aside from the bistro is used as a greenhouse that sells potted plants, the owners also have a collection of vintage vehicles for visitors to admire on the premises.
One of the villas is pet-friendly, so you can even have a staycay with your fur baby.
Image credit: Gardenasia
There’re even 3 colonial houses that you can book for a staycay from $380/night. It even comes with breakfast for 2 and vouchers for use at Gardenasia Bistro. Facilities includes a pool and tennis court for leisure activities while you’re here.
3. Kranji Marshes – Spot migratory birds from a 3-storey tall tower
Image credit: NParks
For shutterbugs and bird aficionados, Kranji Marshes is the place to be. Their 3-storey-tall Raptor Tower is a vantage point that’ll let you grant you a 360° panoramic view of the freshwater marshland and the sight of rare animals – 2 hallmarks of a prime photography spot.
The marshes are home to over 250 species of birds, butterflies and dragonflies, so you’re bound to spot some of these unique critters fluttering about.
Fun fact: There’ve been almost 200 different birds spotted in this area – there’s a checklist of the different species so you know what to expect when you’re there.
4. Bollywood Farms – Kampong-style eats & farm tours
At Bollywood Farms, forget towering offices, banks, and infrastructure – you’ll be admiring the multiple plots of lush flora scattered throughout the 10-acre space instead. If you’re coming with some friends, take your time to saunter around free-and-easy. Large groups can embark on guided farm tours where they’ll get to see all the different varieties of fruits and veggies, and maybe taste a few along the way.
With an abundance of vibrant flowers, fruits and trees providing ample photo ops, you’ll be able to fill your gallery with Insta-worthy pics while embracing the serenity of the farm.
December’s platter features banana curry, laksa chicken, sambal belimbing, and pickled greens.
Image credit: Bollywood Farms via Facebook
Head on down to their Poison Ivy Bistro to relish some farm-to-table fare after you’ve sauntered down the various plots. The menu is rife with delicious offerings like their famous Monthly Kampong Platters ($30 for 2 pax) that has a generous serving of ingredients.
All you have to do is to sit back and satiate your rumbling tummies after a tiring walk.
5. Hay Dairies – Feed goats & purchase their fresh milk
Get up close and personal with herds of goats at Hay Dairies where you can pick up a pack of alfalfa hay ($5) and instantly attract a drove of hungry goats.
Early birds can also seize the chance to watch a live goat milking sesh that takes place from 9am-11am every morning.
Round off your visit by indulging in some fresh goat milk that’s available in both original and chocolate flavour. Get the 200ml bottle ($2.70) if you’re looking to just have a taste, while a 2-800ml-bottle bundle ($17) would be perfect to take home to share some dairy goodness with the fam.
They even have goat milk popsicles ($3.80) that’ll be ideal for the hot weather we frequently experience. These come in 3 flavours – original, chocolate, and strawberry.
6. Auntie’s Fishing Pond At Neo Tiew Cres – Rustic kampong fishing
Image credit: Auntie’s Fishing Pond At Neo Tiew Cres via Facebook
If you love fishing on the weekends, Auntie’s Fishing Pond is a breakaway from the usual jetties and public fishing spots. A little further down the road from Hay Diaries, this anglers-only private fishing spot is a quaint and quiet spot for amateur fishermen to reel in snappers, pomfrets, and barramundi.
Image credit: Auntie’s Fishing Pond At Neo Tiew Cres via Facebook
They’ll provide nets, buckets, clean water, and even aerator pumps if you’re using live bait. It’s very much like fishing at a kelong with the Buloh Besar River so close by.
Bonus: Gallop Kranji Farm Resort – Relax in a countryside villa with farm tours
Image credit: Gallop Kranji Farm Resort
If a full-out farm staycay is something you’ve been considering, then the villas at Gallop Kranji Farm Resort will truly give you the countryside vibes you’ve been craving for. As you breathe in country air on the far side of Singapore, take advantage of the many farm-based facilities and activities in the vicinity to take your staycay to the next level.
The resort even organises day-trips to the nearby Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Kranji Marshes, Hay Diaries, Bollywood Farms, and Gardenasia for guests to check out what these spots on the outskirts of the mainland have to offer.
(Closed) Jurong Frog Farm
Frogs aren’t the most endearing animals out there – we’d rather just munch on their cooked legs and stay miles away from their squirmy, live counterparts. At Jurong Frog Farm though, you’ll get to face your fears and try your hand at picking one up with your bare hands.
Take it from me – I’m not much of a thrillseeker myself, but it was pretty satisfying picking one of these delicate amphibians up.
You can also feed them from a safe distance if you’d rather stay away from the frogs.
Access these countryside attractions with a $5 shuttle
The best part about this countryside getaway is that all seven locations are easily accessible via the Kranji Farms shuttle service. A one-day pass ($5) takes you to each destination on the list except Gallop Kranji Farm Resort.
Bus intervals do tend to run on the long side, with 1 bus arriving approximately every hour and a lunch break for drivers. Since the shuttle service is only active on the weekends and public holidays, make sure to keep tabs on the bus timetable so you can plan your trip accordingly.
You can hop on and hop off the shuttle as many times as you’d like throughout the day – just make sure you don’t let any pesky goats eat your tickets.
Unwind from the daily hustle with a countryside getaway in Singapore
We’ve been toiling hard at work in Singaporean fashion for most of the year – that’s why we need some respite from the hectic madness now more than ever.
With these 7 destinations providing a convenient countryside getaway on our little red dot, it’s high time we took a break and escaped our intensive workloads – even if it’s just for a day.
For more nature park guides, check out:
Photography by Nadia Loewito.
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First published on 6th November 2020 by Benjamin Wellesley. Last updated by Nicholas Ong on 15th December 2023.