With office conversations rarely venturing into HTHT territory, companies go to great lengths to organise team-building sessions outside the office. And there’s no better way to do that than to engage in thrilling, adrenaline-spiking activities that’ll reveal everyone’s true colours.
While there are numerous corporate bonding activities in Singapore, you can also head across the Causeway in JB if you’re up for a day trip or short weekend stay. It’ll be perfect for a quick break from office life, while ensuring that your team comes back refreshed and bonded.
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Most of us are only familiar with the concrete roads of Singapore, so the idea of going beep beep down a dirt road is a novel idea. To try this out as a group, head over to Tristan Park, which is about a 30-minute drive away from the checkpoint.
Packages with them start from S$80, and will have you riding your own ATV or dirt bike while following their guides around the area. And don’t worry – their services are designed for riders of all skill levels, so beginners can rely on their experienced staff for help.
Depending on the package, you’ll either be embarking on a half-day tour to Tengkil Waterfall, or a full-day tour to Muntahak Waterfall. Everything from fuel and gear is provided, just remember to bring enough drinking water and a breathable long-sleeved top to protect yourself from the elements.
Read our article on dirt biking with Tristan Park here.
Address: 21 Jalan Kekabu 11, Taman Desa Cemerlang, 81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: 8661 5077
Website
VR Zone at Taman Mount Austin will let escape the reality of your dreary work life. Between elements like riddle solving, cooperation, and survival, you’ll be immersed in a 5D experience that you’ll have to work through together.
There are 9 complex games in total, and you can choose between fighting your way through a mutant monster apocalypse in Dead Prison, or defend the LEGO city at Guardian Prison. For an all-day gaming experience, you can engage them to arrange everything from the games down to the refreshments.
Prices for games start from RM12-RM28 (~SGD$3.95-$9.22) per person.
Address: 27, Jalan Austin Heights 8/4, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 2PM-11PM, Fri-Sun 12PM-12AM
Telephone: +60 18-355 2700
Website
For an old-school team-bonding idea, try your hand at fishing in a kelong. Speed yourself over to KK Sea Resort just off the coast in Masai, where you’ll enjoy a relaxed 2D1N experience.
Doesn’t matter if you’re a fishing amateur or an experienced angler – you can fish as much as you want using the tools provided by the owners. If you’re lucky you might be able to nab one of the larger species of fish.
Image credits: KK Sea Resort
A package with a 2D1N resort stay costs RM190 (~S$62.56) per person. This includes all meals as well as speedboat and ferry transfers from Changi Ferry Terminal, so it’ll be easy to plan meeting points prior to setting off.
Address: Jalan Kong Kong, Kampung Kong Kong, 81900, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 19-714 8196
Website
After spending the majority of our time hunched over at our desks, a laser tag battle at Laser Battle will do wonders for our cardio. It’s conveniently located at City Square Mall, which means you can easily pop in and out of the country without having to stay overnight. Plus, prices are cheap – starting from RM40 (~S$13.18) per person.
Image credit: @acmossadeg
While there are loads of different game scenarios available, most teams usually start off with the Standard Team game, where you collect as many points as possible without getting “shot”. Apart from that, teams can also try out a Capture the Flag scenario, where you’ll have to strategise together and put your wits to the test to claim your opponent’s flag.
Alternatively, you could also engage their corporate planning services, where they’ll manage everything from team arrangements to the tournament formats for you.
Address: Lot MS-11, Johor Bahru City Square, 108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10AM-10PM
Telephone: +60 7-207 0179
Website
Trudging up steep inclines and sweating it out together can really bond a group, especially when you’re rewarded by the same magical sights at the end of it. And with waterfalls and stunning mountain views at Gunung Pulai, you’ll be able to seal the moment away with your colleagues for a long time.
Image credit: @angel_remy
You can choose between two tracks – beginners can opt for the Tarmac trail as it’s mostly over flat ground, while the more physically fit hikers can challenge themselves up the steep inclines of the Jungle Trail. Either way, you’ll end up at the viewing point near the summit after a 2-hour hike, where you’ll be able to reward yourself with unblocked views of the surrounding hills.
If your office is full of F1 fans, get them to live out their racing dreams at Permas Go-Kart Club. It’s situated in Taman Plentong Baru in the North-West region of JB, which will take you about 45min to reach from the Causeway by car.
The racing track spans over 1.4km long with numerous turns along the way, so you’ll be able to zoom and drift around as much as you want. It’s alright if you’re a newbie to the whole driving gig – they run beginners classes that will ease you into it, with prices starting from RM37 (~S$12.19) per person.
Address: Jalan Bunga Matahari, Taman Plentong Baru, 81750 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Weekdays 10AM-6.30PM, weekends 8AM-6.30PM
Telephone: +60 19-711 1733
Website
Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park is a 3-in-1 park consisting of an adventure, water, and sports park. Whether you’re maneuvering your way through high-scale obstacle courses, or leaping from trampoline to trampoline, there’ll be activities to keep your team entertained the whole day.
Watch your colleagues brave through the high element obstacle course at the Adventure Park. With a grand total of 51 obstacles including things like netted walls, ziplines, and tightropes, this park is definitely not for the fearful.
Splashing around amidst the hot tropical heat is an enticing idea. At the Water Park, you can do just that – while zooming down 2-storey slides.
If not, you can always hop on a go-kart and drift your way through the track at the Sports and Leisure Park.
Tickets start from RM80 (~SGD$26.35) per person. Alternatively, you can also organise corporate team building activities here – simply contact them for a quote, and they’ll take care of everything for you.
Read our article on Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park here.
Address: 71, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10AM-6PM
Telephone: +60 19-716 3183
Website
Escape room activities are a popular team-building exercise for a reason – after all, nothing bonds a team more than a team effort against the clock. And in JB, you can try these escape rooms together at Lost in JB at Taman Mount Austin, with rates starting from just RM48 (~S$15.81) per person.
They offer team-building workshops where everything from the escape games to the buffet lunch or dinner is taken care of. Look forward to scream-inducing horror stories like Annabelle, or adventure themes like Legendary Swordsman. All you need to do is provide your budget and needs, and they’ll arrange everything accordingly.
Address: G10&11, Block A, Akademik Suite, No. Utama, JB., Jln Austin Heights 3/2, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 12.30PM-10.30PM
Telephone: +60 7-364 5043
Website
Smaller departments can try their hand at horse-riding at Horse Valley Riding Academy. It’s just 10 minutes away from the Causeway in the area of Masai.
Group lessons cost RM130 (~S$42.80) and are held for 2-4 people. They’re suitable for riders of all levels, so even if you’re all beginners, you’ll still have fun horsing around and making a complete foal of yourselves.
Address: PTD 109057 Kampung Plentong Baru, Masai, 81750 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 7.30AM-11AM, 4PM-7PM
Telephone: +60 17-773 2133
Website
Blasting one another with paintballs sounds fun, but after adding a competitive element to it? It’ll be absolute carnage.
Places like AOV Paintball provide open fields and different terrains for teams to test their mettle against one another. Packages here start from RM98 (~S$32.28), and come complete with face masks, body vests, and paintball markers, so the only thing you’ll need to do is to come in comfy clothes and shoes.
As the compound is further up north in Tebrau, they also offer transport services for you and your crew from JB CIQ. Simply let them know the number of people coming along, and they’ll either charter a minivan or coach bus that’ll ferry you from point to point.
Address: PTD114143, Jalan Desa Tebrau, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9AM-6PM
Telephone: +60 16-760 6184
Website
Image credit: @marcussew
If your office is full of adventurous thrill-seekers, try your hand at a stand-up paddling tour with Coastal Paddle. For RM90 (~SGD$29.63) per person, this tour will take you on a sightseeing tour of Johor’s natural coastal surroundings, which will have you drifting lazily down Kim Kim River and around Pulau Nenas.
Image credit: @zenchanzc
Don’t be fooled – stand-up paddling looks deceptively easy, but it’ll take you a whole load of core strength and balance to keep up with the tour. And with a 3-hour journey up ahead, you might want to make sure you’re sufficiently fuelled with a good breakfast prior to that.
Address: CXG6+M6 Kampung Kabong, Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9AM-6PM
Telephone: 8661 5077
Website
If you secretly harbour dreams to become the next Hawkeye or Katniss Everdeen, head over to AOV Paintball in Tebrau for a game of combat archery.
The game’s simple – two teams will slug it out with their bows and arrows until one last person stands victorious. You’re out as soon as you get hit, so tactics and reflexes will be crucial.
Image credit: Adventoro
It’s a thrilling game that’ll have everyone releasing their competitive sides, so don’t be surprised if that one quiet colleague starts screaming and letting all hell loose during the game.
Packages start from RM59 (~S$19.43) per person.
Address: PTD114143, Jalan Desa Tebrau, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9AM-6PM
Telephone: +60 16-760 6184
Website
A day away from the office, and a break from the Singapore scene – team bonding activities don’t always have to be kept within the country. A quick look across the border and you’ll find plenty of exciting corporate activities to keep your team’s spirit high.
And with exciting elements in these activities, you’ll get to see sides to your colleagues that you won’t often see in the office.
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