Categories > Guides and Tips
Exciting Outdoor Activities at Chestnut Nature Park
- Things to Know
- How to Get There
- Best Time to Visit
- What to Do: Activities Offered by Chestnut Nature Park Singapore
- Climb the Chestnut Observation Tower
- Check out the flora and fauna of the park
- Go for a hike and reconnect with Mother Nature
- Take on the natural terrain of the park while mountain biking
- Nearby Attractions
- Singapore Zoo
- Universal Studios Singapore
- River Wonders
- ArtScience Museum
- Singapore Botanic Gardens
- Where to Eat: Best Restaurants Near the Park
- iO Italian Osteria
- Acqua e Farina
- Amber West
- Sumac @ Temasek Club
Singapore is known for its urban lifestyle, high-rise condominiums, and impressive business centres that will make any tourist’s jaw drop. Despite its urban jungle status, though, the country has multiple green spaces scattered across the landscape.
One of the most popular parks in Singapore and one that we recommend you visit ASAP is the Chestnut Nature Park located on Chestnut Avenue.
With outdoorsy activity recommendations and pointers to nearby attractions and restaurants, here’s our guide to this awesome park!
Things to Know
Address: Chestnut Ave, Singapore 679514
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Contact Number: +6518004717300
Cost: Free
How to Get There
By Bus: You can get to the nature park by bus. From Changi Airport Terminal 1, ride the bus to Opp Woodlands Civic Centre (40 minutes).
You can then transfer to the Woodlands International bus and travel to Block 223, Woodlands for 37 minutes. Once you get off the bus, you need to walk for 16 minutes to reach Chestnut Nature Park.
Travelling by bus will cost you around S$12, and it’ll let you do a bit of sightseeing around the city as you travel from the airport to the park.
By Taxi: Going there by taxi is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the Park from the airport, but it’s also going to be the costliest. You need to spend around S$30 to get to Chestnut Nature Park in under 30 minutes!
We think going there by taxi is a great option if you’re travelling with family or as a group. Plus, this is the best option if you’re pressed for time and want to get to the park in a jiffy (provided you have the excess funds to spare, of course!)
Best Time to Visit
Considering the outdoorsy activities at Chestnut Nature Park, we recommend visiting the park during Singapore’s dry season ranging from March to August.
This isn’t a guarantee, however, that there won’t be any rainfall as Singapore (being the tropical country that it is) can experience light drizzles all throughout the year.
In terms of the best time of day to visit the park, we strongly suggest that you visit either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid extremely hot midday temperatures especially if you’re planning on hiking at the park.
What to Do: Activities Offered by Chestnut Nature Park Singapore
1. Climb the Chestnut Observation Tower
– From jetpilot_prince
The Chestnut Observation Tower is an impressive spiral tower in the middle of the park, and it’s one of the best vantage points to view the surrounding area. It’s said to be the tallest spiral tower in the country, so it’s a site you shouldn’t miss when in Singapore!
There are a total of five flights or floors going up the tower, and once you get to the top, we guarantee that you’ll witness jaw-dropping sights of seemingly endless trees and greenery. Grab your camera and take pictures to prove that you conquered this tower!
| Pro Tip: Visit the tower either in the early morning or late in the afternoon. During these times, you might be able to catch a glimpse of that beautiful Singapore sunrise or relaxing sunset! |
2. Check out the flora and fauna of the park
– From jd_chasingwild
If you’re a nature lover, then you’ll definitely want to spend an entire day at Chestnut Nature Park. Here, you can spot and even interact with some of the most unique flora and fauna in the entire country.
These include plants like the common mahang, simpoh air, and fishtail palm and birds like the greater racket-tailed drongo, striped tit babbler, and crimson sunbird. Be on the lookout for one of the cutest mammals in the area too—the plantain squirrel!
| Pro Tip: Remember that you need to follow certain bird-watching etiquette while in the park. For example, you must refrain from making loud noises or playing bird calls to prevent these birds from getting stressed. |
3. Go for a hike and reconnect with Mother Nature
– From baeyyamkeng
The Chestnut Nature Park is an awesome place to go hiking to rekindle your love of Mother Nature.
This park has the Southern Loop Trail that loops around the entire park, giving you and other hikers the chance to appreciate the area’s gorgeous surroundings filled with unique flora, curious fauna, and spectacular views!
| Pro Tips: Park management prohibits the feeding of wild and stray animals (such as monkeys). Also, hikers are advised to stay on hiking trails to avoid any accidents or unwanted close encounters with the park’s animals. |
4. Take on the natural terrain of the park while mountain biking
– From: dave_cheam
Aside from hiking, you can also do mountain biking at the park. You’ll share the Southern Loop Trail with other bikers and hikers.
Aside from the views, the bike trails of the park also offer a decent challenge to bikers of all skill levels. You have to navigate different terrain (loose soil and concrete), descents, climbs, and single tracks that will surely test your mettle!
| Pro Tips: The park recommends that you don’t ride alone and to make sure that you bring a first aid kit with you just in case. In addition, make sure you have your mobile phone with you to ensure that you are contactable. |
Nearby Attractions
1. Singapore Zoo
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826
Distance from the Park: 14 minutes
Website: https://www.mandai.com/en/singapore-zoo.html
Contact Number: +65 6100 0694
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost:
- S$ 49 for adults
- S$ 34 for kids
If you still need to satisfy the animal lover in you after visiting the park, then you can head down to the Singapore Zoo to see more of these majestic creatures! You can enjoy watching elephants, tigers, and even cute pandas go about their daily routine!
2. Universal Studios Singapore
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
Distance from the Park: 29 minutes
Website: https://www.rwsentosa.com/en/attractions/universal-studios-singapore/explore
Contact Number: +6565778888
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost:
- Around S$ 70 to 80
Less than 30 minutes away from the park, Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park you shouldn’t miss when in Singapore.
You and your family can have hours of thrill and excitement with its roller coasters, 3D Battle Rides, and dinosaur-themed attractions—truly an unforgettable experience!
3. River Wonders
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826
Distance from the Park: 14 minutes
Website: https://www.mandai.com/en/river-wonders.html
Contact Number: +65 6269 3411
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost:
- S$ 43 for adults
- S$ 31 for kids
River Wonders is a zoo that features not just land-based animals but also aquatic ones that will surely make your trip to Singapore unforgettable.
Aside from pandas, leopards, and capybaras, there are also snakes, eels, and sharks for you to marvel at as they navigate their respective aquariums and habitats.
4. ArtScience Museum
Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974
Distance from the Park: 29 minutes
Website: https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum.html
Contact Number: +6566888888
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost:
- S$ 30 for adults
ArtScience Museum is a different kind of museum indeed thanks to its futuristic exhibits combined with its focus on the arts.
You and your kids will surely have the time of your lives here as you use your mobile phones and gadgets to interact with the different installations at its Future World Exhibit. Plus, get to know international artists and art icons through their biographical exhibits!
5. Singapore Botanic Gardens
– From shyuechou
Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Distance from the Park: 15 minutes
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact Number: +6564717138
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 5:00 AM to 12:00 MN
Cost: Free
Singapore Botanic Gardens is the place to be if you want to see Singapore’s diverse flora! Check out their Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Ethnobotany Garden, and Ginger Garden along with their workshops and talks on air plants and orchids!
Where to Eat: Best Restaurants Near the Park
1. iO Italian Osteria
Address: 4 Hillview Rise, #02 – 01, Singapore 667979
Distance from the Park: 7 minutes
Website: https://uqr.to/ioitalianosteriasg
Contact Number: +6567107150
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
If you’re a fan of Italian food, then check out this restaurant near the park—iO Italian Osteria! Indulge in their flavourful pasta and perfectly cooked steak along with their pizzas and sandwiches!
2. Acqua e Farina
Address: 400 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678050
Distance from the Park: 7 minutes
Website: http://acquaefarina.com.sg/
Contact Number: +6584997156
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
- Closed on Monday
Cost: $$
Acqua e Farina is one of the best Italian restaurants in the area serving authentic cuisine that will make you go “Grazie!” Try their specialty pizzas like Pizza Napoletana, Pizza Diavola (pork and mozzarella), and Pizza Ortolana (veggies).
3. Amber West
Address: 1 Choa Chu Kang Grove, Blk 2 Level 4, Singapore 688236
Distance from the Park: 14 minutes
Website: https://www.ite.edu.sg/colleges/ite-college-west/reservations-at-amber-west-enquiries-at-hotel-west
Contact Number: +6564310178
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday, 12:00 NN to 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Monday, 12:00 NN to 2:00 PM
- Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Cost: $
Amber West serves some fantastic Western dishes that you need to try out after visiting Chestnut Nature Park. Enjoy the views surrounding the restaurant as you feast on a steak, prawns, salmon, pork chops, or decadent bite-sized cakes!
4. Sumac @ Temasek Club
Address: 131 Rifle Range Rd, #03-04, Singapore 588406
Distance from the Park: 13 minutes
Website: http://www.sumac.sg/
Contact Number: +6583322694
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Cost: $$
This fusion restaurant is just 13 minutes away from the park, so if you love exploring fusion cuisine, you need to drop by and give their dishes a try!
Order some of their Asian and Mediterranean dishes like roasted chicken and vegetable salad with hummus!
