Photo Credit: Facebook @NParks
Singapore offers a plethora of fantastic nature parks for families to explore. One such gem is Rifle Range Nature Park, a hidden oasis in the bustling city. If you are looking for family-friendly activities that allow your kids to connect with nature and learn about the environment, join us as we look closer at this nature lover’s paradise and discover why it should be on your must-visit list with your little ones.
Spanning 66 hectares, it provides a vast area for exploration and functions as a verdant barrier, safeguarding Bukit Timah Nature Reserve from potential edge effects and adjoining developments.
Boardwalks and Trails at Rifle Range Nature Park
Photo Credit: LIM YAOHUI
If you want some challenge, the 7 km trail of Rifle Range Nature Park is perfect for you. With its varying degrees of difficulty, keep your adrenaline rushing while you get to embrace and see the beauty of this nature park. One can venture into the nature park by traversing an interconnected system of boardwalks and trails, making the route accessible.
Gliders Boardwalk
Photo Credit: Facebook @Nature Guide Singapore
An accessible elevated boardwalk connects the Visitor Pavilion to the Quarry Wetland, a rejuvenated freshwater ecosystem at the core of the nature park, which was once the Sin Seng Quarry. From a portion of the boardwalk above Rifle Range Road, you can observe animal crossing elements like rope bridges and colugo poles, thoughtfully installed to ensure the secure passage of wildlife such as the Long-tailed Macaque and Sunda Colugo.
Forest Exploration Trail
Photo Credit: The Straits Times
Children will find this play area really enjoyable. The arrangement of logs and boulders creates a secure obstacle course, perfect for climbing and jumping over.
Rambai Boardwalk
Photo Credit: Facebook @Nature Guide Singapore
When entering the park through Beauty World Centre, you will encounter the Rambai Boardwalk, an elevated bridge that offers a panoramic perspective of the entire urban landscape in one glance. While strolling amidst the trees, informative signs share interesting tidbits about the park and the history of the Singapore Gun Club and Sin Seng Quarry.
Banyan and Gaharu Trail
Gaharu Trail
Enjoy a quiet walk on the Banyan and Gaharu Trail. The tree-covered trail makes hiking more relaxed while admiring the gentle stream along the trail.
Other Rifle Range Nature Park Attractions Kids Will Love
Apart from the trails and boardwalks, your kids will surely enjoy these added features of the nature park.
Quarry Wetland
Quarry Wetland
From being known as the Sin Seng Quarry, the Quarry Wetland provides a habitat for animals such as the Scarlet Skimmer and Common Kingfisher. While here, you can do some birdwatching as migratory birds abound in this area.
Colugo Deck
Photo Credit: Channel News Asia
The Colugo Deck is named after the bird Colugo more commonly known as the flying lemur. This deck is inspired by how the Colugo looks when in flight. Upon reaching the deck, it gives a full view of the Quarry Wetland.
Waterhen Hide
Photo Credit: The Straits Times
Another place to go for birdwatching is the Waterhen Hide. Built like a nest, it has a viewing window and a bench giving you rest while watching the birds flying over the Quarry Wetland. Children will surely have a spectacular time observing the different birds flying over this area.
Getting There
Photo Credit: NParks
The park has 6 entrances for visitors’ accessibility along Rifle Range Road, Upper Bukit Timah Road, Hindhede Drive, Jalan Kampong Chantek, and the Rail Corridor.
The most frequently used entrance is the one by the Beauty World Centre Level 4. Take the overhead bridge where you will be greeted by the Rambai Boardwalk directly to the Visitor’s Pavillion.
You can also take bus184, 852, 961: Alight at Opp Beauty World (Bus stop ID: 42109) and 41, 52, 61, 77, 157, 174, 184, 852, 961, 970, 985: Alight at Opp Bt Timah Plaza (Bus stop ID: 42089).
You can go to the park as early as 7 am while it closes at 7 pm every day. The parking area is also open from 7 am – 7 pm daily. Parking has 68 lots with 2 reserved for handicapped parking.
There is ample parking space for those coming in on bicycles. There are 10 lots located at the Senapang Entrance.
The car park area has 70 slots, where 2 lots are reserved for handicapped parking. Photo credit: https://thegeestravel.com
Safety Precautions
When there is bad weather or rain, visitors are advised to find shelter around the area. Also, avoid going into the forested areas of the nature park during this time. Always check the weather forecast of the day when you plan to go outdoors.
Conclusion
Rifle Range Nature Park stands as an essential destination for both locals and tourists, offering a vital link to nature within the bustling urban setting. Families can introduce their young ones to the natural world through educational trails and wildlife observation here. For those seeking an ideal hiking adventure, exploring Rifle Range Nature Park proves to be an excellent choice.
