Embrace Extraordinary Escapes: 3 Unique JB Holidays for Your Bucket List

Ahhh Johor Bahru, that trusty best friend to all Singaporeans. 

JB is the friend who is always there when you need them, never too far away, and always down for a last minute visit.

JB is the friend you know so well, you can walk into their kitchen and help yourself to their most tantalising dishes you know they have to offer. 

But did you know that JB can also be a steadfast friend with outstretched arms when we need to get back in touch with ourselves? 

When you need to escape the demands of city life, JB can also transform into an unexpected oasis, where time slows down and worries fade away.

It’s time to step away from the mundane, as we uncover three distinctive JB vacation spots that redefine the art of relaxation and adventure, where ordinary moments transform into extraordinary memories.

In this article, we’ll explore the excitement of a farmstay, the enchantment of a rainforest treehouse, and the luxury of glamping along the sea, so be prepared to be whisked away into the arms of nature of our good buddy, Johor Bahru.

Travelling to JB in the August Long Weekend

Travelling to JB is something that can happen at any time of the year, but this National Day holiday presents us with one of our most treasured opportunities as Singaporeans - the chance to travel over a long weekend! Hurrah! 

9 August 2023 strategically falls on a Wednesday, giving us a few different combinations to create a long weekend travel opportunity.

Option 1: Take leave on 7 & 8 August to get 5 days’ holiday

 

Option 2: Take leave on 10 & 11 August to get 5 days’ holiday

 

Faster Clearance from August Onwards

August is also the perfect time to travel to JB as it marks the beginning of increased efforts to step up the customs clearance process, such as more auto gates and streamlining passport and vehicle entry permit (VEP) checks. These efforts will hopefully prevent bottleneck congestion at the two checkpoints, and make it easier for Singaporeans to travel to Johor Bahru, and the rest of Malaysia.

 

Farmstay Experience on a Plantation
 

Sinar Eco Resort

Tucked remotely away in Pekan Nenas, Johor, the family-run Sinar Eco Resort is just about an hour’s drive away from Singapore, and offers an incredible farmstay experience.

By ‘tucked remotely away’, we do mean remote - the drive in is an off-road experience, so if you wish to spare your car this arduous journey, private transport from JB malls can be arranged.

The advantage is, however, that you’re essentially saying goodbye to the hustle and bustle of city life, and hello to “the olden days” kind of nature. 
 

Enjoy the Slower Pace of Life

Nestled deep within an oil palm plantation, this hidden gem is ecologically designed and fully embraces its verdant landscapes.

Besides appreciating the greenery around you, you can also take part in nature activities which are perfect for family members of all ages.

Cruise, raft or kayak along the scenic river, get absolutely muddy in an ATV, race off-road in a buggy, or ride a horse at the resort’s stables. There is also the usual array of resort-style activities to engage in - swimming, archery, karaoke, cycling, outdoor cinema, to name a few.

 

Animals Galore

But the one thing that truly makes this farmstay experience memorable, especially for the kids, would be interacting with the animals.

If petting and feeding cows, goats, sheep, horses, chickens, geese, ducks, bunnies, and cats sounds like your little slice of heaven, then Sinar Eco Resort is definitely the place to go.

With more than 100 animals to interact with and enjoy, you can imagine why a farmstay experience like this will tickle the fancy of children way more than a visit to the zoo ever will. (And psst, it’s cheaper than flying to Perth!)

For an electronics-free long weekend where the kids can get in touch with nature and animals, you can definitely consider Sinar Eco Resort for your next family vacation.

Address: Sinar Eco Resort | Lot 2346 GM 2535 Kampung Sungai Molek Mukim Jeram Batu Pekan Nanas, 81500 Pontian, Johor

Sinar Eco Resort
Caption: Cuddling up to the cutest farm animals is not only a possibility at Sinar Eco Resort, but also very much encouraged!

Treehouse Stay in a Rainforest

If you just want to completely get away from life as you know it and immerse yourself in nature, then spending a night or two in a treehouse in the middle of a rainforest should definitely be on your to-do list.

Actually, scratch that, and toss out your to-do lists altogether. Forget work, and just take a little time out to enjoy the peace of sleeping under the stars.

Rainforest Tree House

At Rainforest Tree House in JB, you can do exactly that.

Located about an hour’s drive away from Singapore, Rainforest Tree House is situated at the foot of Gunung Pulai in Kulai, Johor. 

Nestled amidst the enchanting embrace of the lush Malaysian rainforest are treehouses that accommodate 2 to 8 travellers. Rustic, perched high amongst a majestic canopy of greenery, and featuring showers that stream directly from the mountain, it is the epitome of getting back in touch with Mother Nature.

Staying in Nature

Don’t worry, creature comforts exist even in the midst of nature, with modern amenities such as power outlets, electric fans, and private bathrooms. But bring your own toilet paper, otherwise you’ll have to resort to leaves!

Nomming in Nature

Spending a night here being lulled to sleep by the nocturnal rhythm of the rainforest, you might be inclined to think that all is safe and peaceful… but be careful! It is a real rainforest, with real wild animals, who know the smell of food and will come for it!

Travellers are thus encouraged not to take any food with them on their stay, as all dinners and breakfasts are provided as part of your accommodation package. All meals served are halal, and lunch can also be reserved in advance.

Exploring in Nature

The opportunities to connect with nature abound at Rainforest Tree House. Just a short 20-minute walk away is the Pulai Waterfall, surely a refreshing respite for anyone familiar with our Southeast Asian humidity. 

The general advice from fellow travellers is to walk on past the first river pools and follow the trail to the foot of the waterfall itself, where the waters are cleaner and the crowd thinner.

There is also the option of a guided jungle trek with the staff from Rainforest Tree House, so make sure you ask in advance if this is something that interests you. It’s not strenuous by any means, so it’s also a perfect activity to do with the kids.

Sitting in the tree net at the Rainforest Treehouse Cafe will make all your worries melt away into the horizon.

Rainforest Treehouse Cafe

After tackling a good mountain trail, rest and relaxation await you at the Rainforest Treehouse Cafe.

Surrounded by foliage and streams, it’s the ideal location to lie on a tree net and embrace your connection with the natural world. Here, in the heart of the rainforest, is where you can rejuvenate your senses, nurture your soul… and fill your tummy!

Open every day except Monday, the cafe serves up homebrewed coffee, a gorgeous selection of desserts, earthy mushroom soup, and fresh bread baked in their own woodfire oven.

You can visit the Cafe even if you’ve chosen not to stay at the Rainforest Tree House, simply by making a reservation here. Seats go quickly though, so make sure you’re booking in advance!

Address: Rainforest Tree House | 25, Jalan Air Terjun, Kampung Sri Gunung Pulai, 81000 Kulai, Johor 

Luxurious Glamping by the Sea

If being exposed to the elements isn’t your kind of holiday, then glamping is what you need - where you can enjoy the spectacular views from Mother Nature while still being thoroughly pampered.

While this location is a little ways away from Johor Bahru (an 80-minute drive), it is still easily accessible by car.

 

Sea Horizon Resort

Built above a breathtaking cliffside overlooking the South China Sea, the Sea Horizon Resort beckons like a promise of serenity and coastal enchantment.

The sprawling resort offers a myriad of accommodation choices, from family chalets to brick cottages, and even Mediterranean-styled spaces inspired by the flowing architecture of Santorini’s coastal cave houses.

But the pièce de résistance is where luxury merges with nature’s splendour in the form of glamping domes along the coast.

Glamping domes combine the panoramic views of nature with the luxury of modern comforts

Glamping Domes

It is exactly as it sounds, the beautiful marriage of a night under the stars, lulled to sleep by the soft crashing of the waves, without having to give up the comforts of a hotel stay - hot showers on demand, a mattress you can sink into, air conditioning, and yes, toilet paper. ?

You won’t get any luck asking for the wifi password, however, and this is on purpose, as their motto is “There is no wifi but we promise you will find a better connection.”

And why would you even need wifi indeed? Imagine awakening to panoramic views of the ocean, basking you in a sea of tranquillity. 

This is the place to go if you’re seeking rejuvenation and renewal, where standing on your private deck in a yoga tree pose against the salt-kissed air is truly about nurturing your body, mind, and spirit, more than it is a stunning Instagram photo.

Address: Sea Horizon Resort | Lot 901, Kuala Sedili Besar, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor

Three unique JB vacation  ideas, where ordinary short getaways can metamorphose into extraordinary memories. 

Whether you choose to embrace the simplicity of living on a farm, the ethereal allure of a treehouse in the middle of the rainforest, or the opulence of a glamping dome along the sea, one thing is for certain - each experience will answer your soul’s inner call to reconnect with nature, and leave an indelible mark on your wandering heart which beats for adventure.

Before embarking on your JB holiday, don’t forget to book your travel insurance with DirectAsia Insurance. This ensures that, you and your whole family are always well covered no matter how short your holiday is!