Singapore fits the bill for memorable family holiday

IF making memories to last a lifetime is a prerequisite for your next family holiday, Singapore will definitely fit the bill.

Offering a wealth of diverse experiences, the Lion City is a destination every member of the family will enjoy.

From the imposing skyscraper cityscape, to the hawker markets of Chinatown, Singapore is a modern city that has not abandoned its rich cultural traditions.

Visitors can enjoy luxury shopping malls, avant-garde fashion and Michelin-star restaurants, while also immersing themselves in the historical elements that contribute to the city-state’s charm.

Clarke Quay is a popular tourist spot, which offers a vibrant nightlife close to most attractions. Nestled on the banks of the Singapore River, we stayed at the Novotel and enjoyed beautiful views across Marina Bay and Fort Canning Park.

Sentosa is home to Universal Studios, S.E.A Aquarium, Adventurecove Waterpark and MegaZip Adventure Park. Cable cars are a novel way to get to the island and provide panoramic views.

Our family enjoyed an action-packed morning at the MegaZip Adventure Park and then relaxed at Tanjong Beach Club. This tropical oasis features a restaurant, outdoor bar, lap pool and beach beds. Children with energy to burn can enjoy beach volleyball or challenge themselves on a fitness obstacle course.

Gardens by the Bay is another family favourite in Singapore. The iconic attraction is set over 101ha in the heart of the city. Visitors are dwarfed by high-rise height vertical gardens in Supertree Grove. A suspended walkway between two Supertrees provides a bird’s eye view of the gardens.

Cloud Forest showcases diverse vegetation veiled in mist and features the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. The Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world and has plants from around the globe on display.

Garden Rhapsody – Garden Waltz takes place every night and is a surreal, never-to-be-forgotten light show. Sparkling colourful lights dance across the Supertrees and are choreographed to music. The Marina Bay Sands skyline serves as a stunning backdrop. It is a show where visitors from around world converge to witness a visual spectacular and experience Singaporean nationalistic pride.

A great way to see Singapore is a bike tour with Let’s Go Singapore. Cyclists can pedal their way through cultural neighbourhoods and take in the diverse architecture.

The TiongBahru cultural precinct provides a snapshot of how locals live. Built in the 1930s, TiongBahru was Singapore’s first housing estate. It features impressive street art murals, art deco-style apartment blocks and a wet market.

Chinatown is a cultural enclave bursting with colour, activity and mouth-watering aromas. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple offers a fascinating insight into the religion, while the Chinatown Heritage Centre explores the history of the neighbourhood and how early Chinese migrants lived.

Asia is known for its street food. We found the cuisine delicious and affordable. It was reassuring knowing each stall, even in markets, was quality graded.

Boon Tat Street, Singapore’s famous ‘Satay Street’, is a must for those wanting to experience traditional cuisine. The street was a hive of activity with stalls selling mouth-watering satay and other Malay delights.

For a memorable Asian holiday experience, Singapore is only a five-hour flight from Perth. The main language is English, the currency is easy to understand and there is a low crime rate.

* The writer was a guest of Singapore Tourism Board.