Interesting Places in Melaka
Air Keroh Recreational Forest
I used to love to jog here because it has three jogging tracks and it’s really refreshing to jog with sound of the jungle. It’s located about 5 km from the Air Keroh Toll. Now they also have recreational facilities like Prehistoric Garden, Storyland, children’s playgrounds, Orang Asli Park, Deer Park, suspension bridge, observation towers, picnic spots and refreshment kiosks. Campsites, huts and cabins are also available for rental. Even by just walking round the jogging trek while listening to the sounds of the jungle and seeing the greenery will most certainly relax you.
Crocodile Farm
This is also located in Ayer Keroh, just across from the Malacca Zoo. So its not very hard to miss, just watch for the McDonalds restaurant which is just beside it. More than 200 crocodiles of various species are found here and it is said to be one of the largest in Malaysia. The crocodiles are all reared in a natural environment. There is also exciting and suspense-filled performances every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday.
Malacca Zoo
Melaka Zoo is rated the best zoo among the southern states for its wild and domestic animals in surroundings that have been set to simulate the natural habitat of the animals. The zoo also functions as a centre for wildlife research, conservation breeding and zoo education centre. Now there’s even a night safari on weekends. There is also ample parking around.
Mini Asean
This unique theme park features impressive replicas of the different types of traditional houses from ASEAN countries, namely Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. It is located near the Air Keroh Recreational Forest. Inside each house, there are various handicrafts originating from each country. There are also life-like dummies, dressed in the respective traditional costumes of the country. This theme park gives you and inside of cultural and lifestyle of Asean countries.
Mini Malaysia
Mini Malaysia like Mini Asean is a park that also portrays 13 life-sized authentic Malaysian houses from the 13 states of Malaysia. Located just next to Mini Asean. Each house is uniquely featured with the 13 state’s cultural heritage where you will find mannequins wearing the traditional costumes of each state and also some artefacts on display too. I feel its a good effort by the Melakan government as it preserves our cultural heritage as nowadays its hard to find really traditional houses around. Here is my review on Mini Malaysia, please click here Mini Snips of Malaysia at Mini Malaysia Melaka.
Melaka Bird Park
Melaka has lots of little parks that you could visit with the kids. Thats not too expensive or large that it might make you exhausted. Especially when you have toddlers with you. There is the Coral Wonderland Melaka (which is smaller than the Aquaria at KLCC), Mini Malaysia Melaka, Melaka Zoo and more.
So this time around when we went back to Melaka, I brought the little ones for an outing at the Melaka Bird Park. Here is my review on the Melaka Bird Park, Walking with the birds at Melaka Bird Park
Coral Wonderland Melaka
I happen to stumbled upon this place from friend who resides outside of Melaka. Imagine a Melaka boy don’t even know such a place exist. The Coral Wonderland Melaka can be found on the fourth floor of the Hatten Square just across the road from where we stayed, Hatten Hotel. That’s one of the reason why we stayed there. We didn’t want to brave the famous Melaka traffic jam. Keep your expectations low cause the Coral Wonderland is fairly small in contrast to the aquarium within KLCC as well as the one in Langkawi. But its alright for a start.
The entrance fee is fairly steep to some. The price is RM30 for adults and RM20 for kids. Upon stepping into the Aquarium entrance you will be greeted by what is publicised as the ‘The Longest Touch Pool in Asia. Not sure if this really is true nevertheless here you are able to touch or hold tame sea creatures such as baby sharks, puffer fish, stingray, seahorse, starfish and many more. To know more about this place, please click here. Coral Wonderland Melaka
River Cruise
Melaka River was where it all began. It was the meeting point for traders from the east and west. A few years ago the state government embarked on an effort to beautify the river. Their effort was great for tourism as now you can take a river cruise. What used to be unsightly kitchens or toilets of the houses along the river, now is beautiful buildings and little cafes. There are lots to see along this 45minute cruise. You can take the cruise from the jetty next to the Maritime Museum or from Taman Rempah in Pengkalan Rama. Click here for my review of the Melaka River Cruise, An Outing in Historical Melaka
Proclamation of Independence Memorial
The Proclamation of Independence Memorial was a Dutch Colonial Mansion. It used to be the Malacca Club, a clubhouse for the British Expatriate when the British ruled Malaysia. It was later converted into the Memorial depicting the Malaysian road to Independence.
