Penang Nature Activities, Malaysia

Forest Recreation Park and Museum

Located within the 100-hectare Forest Recreation Park, the museum was built using various species of wood as well as other forest produce, and houses a collection of forest produce from all over the country.

The park features footpaths and flowing streams and is home to countless species of flowering plants, ferns, insects, birds, butterflies, snakes and lizards.

Opening hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm.
Admission fee: RM1.00 (adult) RM0.50 (children).

Penang Butterfly Farm

The farm spans 0.8 hectares and is home to 3,000 living specimens of over 50 species of colourful butterflies, frogs, scorpions and other insects. It features a lily pond, rock garden, tunnel, and artificial waterfalls. Also within the farm are a garden enclosure, breeding area, laboratory, exhibition area, souvenir shop and information centre.

Opening hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm.
Admission fee: RM5.00 (adult) RM2.00 (children), RM10.00 (adult-foreign) RM5.00 (children-foreign).

Penang National Park

Located at the end of the famous Batu Ferringhi Road and past the fishing village of Teluk Bahang at Penang's northern tip, the park offers some excellent trails through the rainforest. To reach the park, visitors can opt for a 30-minute boat ride from Teluk Bahang village or a jungle trek of about 90 minutes from Teluk Bahang.

Attractions at the park include Teluk Duyung, a broad bay protected by the Cape of Muka Head and Pantai Kerachut. It is a popular beach, and also known as Monkey Beach for the large numbers of monkeys found here. There is an old burial ground of Achehnese origin in the area.

Pantai Kerachut is a white-sand beach popular as a picnic and camping site. It is also a site where the Green turtles come to nest from April to August, wheras the Olive Ridley turtles come in between September and February.

The area contains a lake where fresh water from the island's streams meets sea water. During the dry season and low tide, the lake is a mudflat. But when the tide rises, sea water gradually fills the lake while fresh water remains on top of the denser sea water. Certain fish, birds and reptilia have adapted to living within this unusual environment.

Opening hours: 8.30am - 6.30pm.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is an oasis of peace and tranquillity with lush green surroundings, tropical plants and the vibrant colours of Penang's flora. The 30-hectare garden also features a waterfall.

Created in 1884 by the British, it was meant as a tribute to Charles Curtis, its first superintendent who collected botanical specimens from the surrounding hills which have since become significant samples in the world's major herbariums. The gardens are also well known for their Rhesus monkeys.

Opening hours: 7.00am - 7.00pm.
Admission is free.

Tropical Spice Garden

Situated in Teluk Bahang, the Tropical Spice Garden is set within a hidden enclave amidst streams and waterfalls. The garden has over 500 exotic varieties of plants, grouped into ecosystems, which are spread over some eight acres of land.

It has undulating landscaped trails for visitors to explore along. Paths such as Ginger Walk, Fern Walk, Bamboo Garden, Water Garden and Sugar Terrace enable visitors to get a feel of the plant life, birds and insects in a natural tropical environment.

Opening hours: 9.00am - 6.00pm.
Admission fee: RM8.00 (adult) RM4.00 (children).

Bukit Jambul Orchid And Hibiscus Garden

The Bukit Jambul Orchid & Hibiscus Garden and Reptile House are located along Persiaran Bukit Jambul, close to the Hotel Equatorial, and is a 5-minute drive from the Penang International Airport.

Opening hours: 9.30am - 6.30pm.
Snake Show: 11.30am - 3.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays)
Admission fee: RM5.00 (adult) RM2.00 (children).

Batu Maung Fishing Village

Batu is a small fishing village at the south-eastern tip of the island. It owes its fame to the beach front shrine dedicated to Admiral Cheng Ho, the famous Chinese admiral who featured prominently in the history of the Malacca Sultanate. The huge footprint in the vicinity of the shrine is said to be that of the admiral's.

Penang Bird Park

The park spans 5 acres and houses some 800 birds from all over the world. It is beautifully landscaped and features a walk-in aviary, a pond with ducks and swans, ornamental ponds abounding with water lilies, Japanese Carps and ornamental plants.

Opening hours: 9.00am - 7.00pm.
Admission fee: RM10.00 (adult) RM5.00 (children).

Fisheries Department Research Institute Aquarium

This spectacular aquarium and fisheries research centre houses a good variety of the marine life found in tropical Malaysian waters. Visitors get a walk-through experience in an underwater world separated by glass where they can view marine life and the underwater flora. The facility is designed to be educational and there are interactive exhibits for school children.

Opening hours: 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Admission fee: RM5.00 (adult) RM2.00 (children) RM1.50 (school groups).

Tropical Fruit Farm

Discover an exotic agro-tourism experience at the Tropical Fruit Farm in Teluk Bahang. Spread over 25 acres of hilly terrain, the farm contains orchards that produce over 200 tropical and subtropical fruits including durians, lychees, mangoes, guavas and several lesser-known varieties. The farm arranges several tours daily for visitors who would like to view the orchards and sample the wide assortment of locally grown fruits.

Opening hours: 8.30am - 6.00pm.
Admission fee: RM20.00 (adult) RM12.00 (children) (Inclusive of a plate of fruits).