Located at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula in the heart of southeast Asia, Singapore is a perfect blend of the East and the West. With a unique tapestry of Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions, Singapore allows visitors a number of sightseeing and culinary opportunities. Sample a variety of cuisines as you stroll through the local neighbourhoods of Little India and Chinatown.
Experience world-class shopping along the famous Orchard Road. Escape the hustle and bustle with a visit to Singapore Botanic Gardens or the awe-inspiring Gardens by the Bay. Be enthralled by an endless array of exciting attractions at Resorts World Sentosa. The dynamic ‘Lion City’ has something to offer everyone.
Start Your Singapore Adventure
Getting lost in an island-city state like Singapore is not as easy as you think – especially if you’re looking to go beyond the regular tourist haunts to dive deeper into its charm. Before you set off on your adventure, here are some tips to help you find the real, romantic and delectable secrets of Singapore:
Take a walk in the lush Gardens by the Bay and its two cooled conservatories which house an amazing variety of flora from various countries of the world. You can even enjoy a meal and bird’s-eye view of the evening lightshow at some of the garden’s restaurants and bars.
Sample local delights like Katong Laksa, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Char Kway Teow and barbequed seafood at a hawker centre. Unsure of what to try? Ask a local or join the longest queue and you won’t be disappointed! You can also try the world-famous Chilli Crab dish created in Singapore. It is now one of the world’s seven iconic dishes.
Pamper yourself at one of Asia’s biggest outdoor spas, Spa Botanica, set in a lush garden setting on Sentosa Island.
Explore a local neighbourhood like Tiong Bahru or Ann Siang Hill/Club Street for a mix of old and new – with designer boutiques, cafés and art galleries housed in beautifully preserved pre-war shop houses. These neighbourhoods are perfect to spend lazy afternoons or balmy evenings.
Check out the vibrant nightlife offerings, ranging from rooftop bars like KU DÉ TA for panoramic views from Marina Bay or Loof for a local flavour, to bespoke cocktail bars like the stylish WOOBAR at W Singapore or the quirky Bar Stories at Haji Lane.
At 282m above sea level, Singapore is also home to the world’s tallest alfresco bar, 1-Altitude, located on the uppermost floors of One Raffles Place. For those with a sweet-tooth, a visit to The Chocolate Bar in the Sands SkyPark is a decadent must-do, where you can try up to 57 hand-crafted sinfully delicious desserts.
Where to Stay in Singapore
Orchard road is a great central place to stay in Singapore.
Hotels with pools are a great option to get outside and soak up the sun without succumbing to the heat.
Getting Around Singapore
It’s easy and affordable to get around the city by its efficient public transport options such as buses, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) or taxis. Tap and go with the Singapore Tourist Pass or EZ-Link card, stored value cards which can be used on both buses and MRT trains, with rides starting from less than S$1. These can be easily obtained from a number of TransitLink Ticket Offices in locations throughout the city, such as Changi Airport, Orchard, Chinatown, City Hall, Raffles Place, Bayfront and Harbourfront. Please visit thesingaporetouristpass.com.sg for more information.
TIME
Singapore is GMT+8 or 2 hours behind Australian EST
LANGUAGE
Singapore has four official languages; these are English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin. English is the most commonly spoken.
CURRENCY
The local currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD).
$1 AUD = $1 SGD (approximately)
CLIMATE
Singapore experiences a tropical rainforest climate. It is hot and humid year round, with temperatures climbing to approximately 30°C during the day and almost never dropping below 20°C, even at night-time. Rain and humidity are steady year round but it rarely rains all day, even in the wetter months from November to January.
Due to the unpredictable climate changes around the world we strongly recommend you check the current weather at your destination prior to your departure in order to pack accordingly.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Passport must be valid for six months beyond the length of stay. Visas are not required for Australian passport holders who stay for less than 90 days.