Most people think that a trip to Woodlands is only worthwhile if you bring your passport to get across to Malaysia. While that’s one reason to head to this part of Singapore, Woodlands is brimming with a rich history and interesting places to visit that don’t require you to cross the Causeway at all.
With quirky playgrounds, star-gazing opportunities, and even a pre-war bunker, you’ll definitely want to grab your camera and start exploring the ‘star of the North’ with all these things to do in Woodlands.
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Just before the JB causeway lies a defunct Shell factory in Woodlands that’s usually closed off to the public. But thanks to a couple who loves exploring abandoned places in Singapore, there’s a tour you can go on to see this very plant.
Apart from hearing interesting stories about the people who used to work there and of residents nearby, the tour includes a stop at a former refugee camp as well as View Road Hospital. The parting point is an underground hidden WW2 air raid shelter. So, lots and lots to uncover about our island’s history in this area.
Find out more about the Industrial Relics & Wartime Secrets Tour.
Adventurous folks up for a little quest can look at embarking on a journey to uncover the Marsiling tunnels and WW2 bunker in Woodlands. We also recommend following a guide for this, as the sites are in the wild with no proper paths leading to their exact location.
Getting into the tunnels is a feat in itself and definitely not for the faint of heart, but once you’re in, there’s plenty to marvel at, including eerie writings on the walls and a time capsule bottle. There’s a trek through the jungle, and the tunnels are filled ankle-deep with sludgy mud, so we recommend wearing covered shoes and full-length pants.
Find out more about the Marsiling tunnels and bunker tour.
While the Woodlands Waterfront Park Jetty may not fulfil a bucket list wish of being in 2 different countries at once, it’s safe to say that this is as close as we might get to that in Singapore. Take a peaceful stroll across the park’s 400m long jetty and admire the skyline of Johor while you’re at it. Those up for a bigger adventure around the area can walk or cycle along the Northern Explorer Loop from Woodlands Waterfront Park, which will bring you to other parks in the North.
Visit at dawn or dusk, where the golden and red hues breaking across the Malaysian-Singaporean skyline will be sure to take your breath away
Image credit: @posensen via Instagram
Don’t forget to explore the 11-hectare Woodlands Waterfront Park situated right behind the jetty, where a scenic trail will take you to higher vantage points for a panoramic view of the Straits of Johor.
If you’re looking for a quiet picnic spot, head on over to the sprawling green lawns next to the jetty. Instead of other popular picnic spots, take it as your Singapore Botanic Gardens or Marina Barrage substitute – without the crowds and competition for space.
For families with kids, the high elements playground here might just be your next hangout spot. With tall spiderwebs to scale and long bridges to shimmy across, the young ones will be having tonnes of fun at this spot for sure.
You might have seen the monochrome Beaulieu House somewhere on your Instagram feed. Rightfully named “Beautiful Place” in French, it’s no surprise that many flock here for photos.
Found at the edge of Sembawang Park, the house, built way back in the 1910s, was once the residence of a British engineer who constructed the Sembawang Naval Base.
Image credit: @sleang via Instagram
Since 1981, the house has operated as a restaurant, and in 2005, the house received conservation status. Today, Beaulieu House houses a seafood restaurant that’s got a great view of the Johor Straits. Some highlights on the menu include Bamboo Clams, Dry Laksa Crab, and Nyonya Assam Fish Head.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Woodlands Town Park East’s chill environment makes for a lovely place to just relax and unwind. Tucked amongst HDB blocks, the park is located at the top of a hill that promises a good view to those willing to climb. Northies might just want to mark this out as a new workout place where you can also make use of the free workout equipment here.
If you ever find yourself bored with nothing to do, get your besties and head down here for your next profile picture photo shoot. The greenery and flowers make pretty backdrops, so take your camera out and get snapping!
After all, it is also home to a community garden known as the Woodlands Botanic Garden, which features over 200 plants cared for by volunteers.
Dinosaurs may be extinct now, but they sure come alive at Fu Shan Garden Park’s Dinosaur Playground. Little ones fascinated with these ancient creatures will definitely have fun running around the place.
The playground consists of various tunnels and slides where children can entertain themselves. The brightly-coloured dinosaurs lounging around will also serve as cute features for a fun family shot!
Just a couple of steps away from the entrance is where you’ll find a peculiar circle of structures. They might look quite ordinary in the day, but watch them light up in various colours at night, making this a unique spot for photos.
Image credit: @edsther via Instagram
Image credit: onePA
If the giant globe poised at the corner of the Woodlands Galaxy CC isn’t an obvious enough clue, this isn’t just your average community club. Home to the Andromeda Observatory, this is where astronomy enthusiasts and anyone else who’s kaypoh enough can get a glimpse into space.
Fun fact: This is the 2nd biggest telescope in Singapore.
Head to the observatory on clear nights to look at the moon, stars, and even other planets such as Jupiter and Mars in detail. Updates on the Sky Quality Index are consistently uploaded onto the Observatory’s Facebook page, which indicates what you’d be able to see in the sky at night, so be sure to check before heading down!
Some of the sights you’d be able to catch at the CC include the Jewel Box star cluster.
Image credit: The Galaxy CC Observatory via Facebook
In addition to peering into the telescope, look out for some special events and activities the Observatory hosts from time to time. With monthly updates on special sights, you can catch other events such as the Geminids Meteor Shower, where bold white meteors streak quickly across the sky.
Tucked between Blocks 573B and 573 is the Ant and Grasshopper Playground. Built in June 2017, this adorable playground is part of HDB’s newest installation of 6 new thematic playgrounds all around Singapore.
The ant and the grasshopper weren’t random choices either. The once heavily wooded Woodlands was home to a wide range of insects, as referenced here. The playground itself has fireman poles, ladders, a tunnel and even a treehouse-style nook that can provide respite from the hot sun.
While we still love our old-school playgrounds such as the famed Dragon Playground in Toa Payoh, these new playgrounds are refreshing and fun for the young and old to explore.
Most of them pay homage to the history of their neighbourhoods, like Choa Chu Kang’s military tank playground where the former Keat Hong camp once stood. Expect even more of such playgrounds to come, with another 9 to be ready by 2021.
Address: Between Blocks 573B and 573C, Woodlands Drive 16
Image credit: Johor Kaki
Pop by Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre before you leave to try some of the best food you may have ever tasted. Many of the stalls relocated here after the Old Woodlands Centre closed down, though their band of loyal fans have stuck around.
Before you chope your tables with your tissue papers, you should know that the queues for your food can be pretty long – the generational secret recipes of some of the stalls keep people coming back. But since we all know long queues mean good food, we definitely don’t mind.
After your meal, pop by some of the other lifestyle shops in the building, or go for a dip at the swimming pool complex next door. You can also get in some exercise at Woodlands Stadium!
Woodlands has definitely undergone change, from its close-knit kampungs to modern jetties and parks today. Each era of change also sees new developments pop up.
Envisioned to become the “Star of the North”, Woodlands will see more exciting developments such as new housing, recreational centres and amenities that will retain the town’s history and character. Such attractions include the Woodlands Regional Centre, which is set to be a new business hub, and a boardwalk and play area at the upgraded Woodlands Town Garden.
Cover image adapted from: @mb.goh & @edsther via Instagram, Beaulieu House via Facebook
This article was brought to you by the Ministry of National Development. [Note: This promo has since ended and the promotions featured in this article may no longer be available.]
Originally published on 1st March 2019. Last updated by Aditi Kashyap on 3rd May 2025.
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