From iconic skylines to hidden hawker lanes, here’s what’s actually worth your time.
Planning a trip to Singapore? This small but mighty island packs a punch. You’ve got futuristic gardens, sky-high pools, hawker food that’s the stuff of legend, and quiet, hidden lanes locals have been low-key gatekeeping for years.
The best part for us? Australians don’t need a visa for tourist stays, English is everywhere, and flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth land you in Changi in around 7 to 8 hours. Whether you’re flying in for a family holiday, a mates’ getaway, or a romantic weekend, this guide’s got you sorted.
🇸🇬 Pro Tip: For Australian travellers, use a travel money card like YouTrip to lock in competitive SGD rates and avoid FX markups while moving around the city. Plus, enjoy A$1,500 in free ATM withdrawals monthly.
⚡ TLDR: Singapore at a Glance
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa for Aussies | Visa-free for tourism, up to 90 days (per Smartraveller). SG Arrival Card required within 3 days of landing |
| Flight time | 7–8 hrs direct from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth |
| Best time to visit | Feb–Apr (driest, least humid). Avoid the Nov–Jan monsoon |
| How long to stay | 3 days for the highlights · 4–5 days ideal |
| Daily budget | A$120 backpacker · A$200–300 mid-range · A$500+ luxury |
| Cash or card? | Card. Tap with YouTrip to skip the ~3% FX fee most Aussie debit cards add |
| #1 must-do | Hawker dinner + free Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay |
| Best for kids | Universal Studios · Singapore Oceanarium · Jewel Rain Vortex |
| Best for couples | Sunset Singapore Flyer · Capella spa · Royal Albatross dinner cruise |
| Best for hidden gems | Joo Chiat walk · CapitaSpring free rooftop · Pulau Ubin day trip |
📚 Table of Contents
- What’s Singapore Actually Known For?
- Is Singapore Expensive for Aussies?
- Is 3 Days Enough in Singapore?
- The No. 1 Thing to Do in Singapore (Our Honest Pick)
- Top Things to Do in Singapore (the Must-Sees)
- Things to Do in Singapore at Night
- Hidden Gems Locals Actually Recommend
- Things to Do at Changi Airport
- Things to Do in Singapore With Kids
- Things to Do in Singapore for Young Adults
- Things to Do in Singapore for Couples
- Cafe-Hopping in Singapore
- Singapore 3-Day Sample Itinerary
- FAQs
What’s Singapore Actually Known For?
Singapore squeezes a lot into a tiny island. Here’s what gives it that distinct flavour:
- Cleanliness and efficiency. The city is spotless, well-organised, and one of the safest in the world. Yes, the chewing gum ban is real.
- A world-class food scene. Hawker centre to Michelin star, the food scene punches above its weight. Chicken rice, laksa, satay, chilli crab, and roti prata at sunrise are non-negotiable.
- Iconic landmarks. Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion, the Singapore Flyer. The skyline is genuinely cinematic.
- A proper cultural mix. Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian heritages all sit shoulder to shoulder in neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam.
- Surprising green spaces. For a concrete jungle, there’s a lot of jungle. The Cloud Forest, Supertree Grove, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and MacRitchie all sit within city limits.
- Cutting-edge architecture. Rooftop gardens, indoor waterfalls, vertical farms, you name it.
- Very tourist-friendly. Low crime, near-perfect English, brilliant public transport.
Short version: Singapore is clean, green, safe, deeply multicultural and absurdly photogenic.
Is Singapore Expensive for Aussies?
It depends what you’re spending on.
- Hawker meals: A$3–8 a dish. Genuinely cheaper than a meat pie at the footy.
- Sit-down restaurant meals: A$25–60.
- Mid-range hotels: A$180–350/night, comparable to Sydney CBD.
- Cocktails: A$25–35 a pop. Steep, but the rooftop view sometimes earns it.
- MRT (metro): Around A$1.50–3 per ride. The cheapest, fastest way to get around.
Beer and alcohol are where Singapore stings. Plan your big drinks night around happy hour, or join a Clarke Quay bar crawl that bundles drinks in.
Is 3 Days Enough in Singapore?
Yes, 3 days is enough for the Singapore highlights without feeling rushed. You’ll comfortably hit Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, one cultural neighbourhood, a hawker centre, and either Sentosa or the Zoo.
Stretch it to 4–5 days if you want to slow down, day-trip to Pulau Ubin, or eat your way through a Joo Chiat shophouse trail. A full week is for serious foodies or regional hoppers using Singapore as a base (both valid).
The No. 1 Thing to Do in Singapore (Our Honest Pick)
If we had to pick one: a hawker dinner followed by Gardens by the Bay’s free Garden Rhapsody light show.
It’s free, it’s outdoors, the food’s stupendous, and the Supertree Grove lighting up over the Singapore skyline at 7:45 PM or 8:45 PM is the Singapore moment everyone goes home with. Bring a YouTrip card, tap to pay at the hawker stall, and you’ve got the whole city in one evening for under A$30.
Top Things to Do in Singapore (the Must-Sees)
1. Gardens by the Bay
Image Credits: Gardens by the Bay
A forest of 18 Supertrees up to 50 metres tall, covered in over 162,000 plants. Instagram gold by day, almost otherworldly after dark.
- Supertree Grove: free, walk-through any time
- OCBC Skyway: 22-metre-high bridge walk, ~S$14 (~A$15)
- Cloud Forest: indoor conservatory built around a 35-metre waterfall (one of the world’s tallest)
- Flower Dome: rotating exhibition theme; the Claude Monet Floral and Digital Exhibition has been running since late 2025
- Combined dome ticket: ~S$46 (~A$50) non-resident adult
- Time: 3–4 hours
Pro tip: Go pre-sunset, do the domes in daylight, then the free Garden Rhapsody light show at 7:45 PM or 8:45 PM.
2. Marina Bay Sands and the SkyPark
Image Credits: Viator
The iconic rooftop infinity pool is hotel-guests-only and tightly secured. Non-guests can still get the 57th-floor view via the SkyPark Observation Deck.
- SkyPark Observation Deck: S$35 (~A$38) non-peak, S$39 (~A$42) peak
- When: sunset for the city lighting up, or 8 PM to watch Spectra from above
- Rooftop bars: CÉ LA VI (cocktails A$28–35), Lavo for Sunday brunch
Free alternative: Watch Spectra at 8 PM or 9 PM from the waterfront Event Plaza. Same skyline, no entry fee.
3. Sentosa Island
Image Credits: Pelago
Singapore’s playground island, 10 minutes from the city via Sentosa Express monorail (~S$4 / ~A$4.50, includes island admission), the Mount Faber cable car (~S$33 / ~A$36 adult return), or a free 15-minute boardwalk.
- Universal Studios Singapore: ~S$83/S$86 adult (off-peak/peak), full day
- Singapore Oceanarium (formerly S.E.A. Aquarium, 3× larger post-2025): ~S$50/S$55, 2–3 hours
- MegaZip: 450-metre zipline to a beach landing, ~S$59
- Tanjong Beach Club: beach lunch and swim, free entry
- Wings of Time: laser and water night show on Siloso Beach, ~S$22 standard
A full day minimum if you’re doing Universal Studios; two days for theme park + aquarium + beach.
4. Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
Singapore’s three cultural districts can be done in a single full day if you’re efficient.
- Chinatown: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (free, 7 AM–7 PM), Sri Mariamman Temple, heritage shophouse streets, dinner at Maxwell Food Centre (Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice ~S$5).
- Little India: Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, gold shops, sari boutiques, Tekka Centre wet market. Thali lunch at Banana Leaf Apolo (54 Race Course Rd) or Komala Vilas (the area’s oldest, 1947) for ~S$10–20. Skip Sundays unless you like crowds.
- Kampong Glam (Malay-Arab quarter): Sultan Mosque (free, modest dress), Haji Lane painted shophouses, Arab Street shisha cafes. Late afternoon is best, with rooftop bars like Mr Stork opening as the light softens.
5. Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari
Image Credits: Klook Travel
One of the world’s best-rated zoos, with an open-enclosure design where animals roam in landscaped habitats separated by water moats. Tickets ~S$49 (~A$53), allow 4+ hours. The Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife (orangutans wander past your table) is the signature experience: book ahead, ~S$48 on top of entry.
Night Safari next door is the world’s first nocturnal zoo, with 900 animals (lions, leopards, otters, civets) lit only by moon-glow on tram or walking trails. Adult ~S$53, time slots booked on entry. The Mandai multi-park pass (Zoo + Night Safari + River Wonders + Bird Paradise) pays for itself by the second park.
6. Hawker Centres
Image Credits: Maxwell Food Centre
Open-air food courts where Singapore actually eats. Dozens of independent stalls, dishes perfected over decades, plates A$3–8. UNESCO recognised hawker culture as intangible heritage in 2020. Look for the longest local queues.
- Maxwell Food Centre (Chinatown): Tian Tian chicken rice, Zhen Zhen porridge
- Lau Pa Sat (CBD): heritage cast-iron pavilion that becomes satay row at 7 PM when Boon Tat Street closes off
- Newton Food Centre: chilli and black pepper crab (whole crabs S$50–80; Alliance Seafood is the Michelin Bib pick at ~S$61)
- Tiong Bahru Market: local breakfast: chwee kueh, lor mee, Jian Bo soya bean drink (most stalls 6 AM to lunchtime)
- Old Airport Road Food Centre: deep cut, less touristy. Lor mee, fried Hokkien mee, BBQ stingray
Things to Do in Singapore at Night
7. Spectra Light and Water Show at Marina Bay
Image Credits: Marina Bay Sands
A 15-minute outdoor show with water fountains, lasers and an original orchestral score against the MBS facade. Free, nightly at 8 PM and 9 PM, plus a 10 PM show on Fridays and Saturdays. Best spot: the Event Plaza directly outside MBS Shoppes; for a reflection shot, watch from the Helix Bridge or Esplanade across the bay.
8. Garden Rhapsody at Supertree Grove
Image Credits: Singapore Tickets
Free 15-minute light and sound show at Gardens by the Bay, choreographed across all 18 Supertrees to a different musical theme each month (recent: Songs of Singapore, Musical Theatre, Opera, Christmas Special). Showtimes 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM. Lie flat on the grass directly under the central cluster.
9. Singapore Flyer at Sunset
Image Credits: Staybook
A 30-minute revolution in a 165-metre observation wheel, taller than the London Eye.
- Standard ticket: ~S$40 (~A$44)
- Best timing: the 6:30–7 PM sunset window, so the city flicks on at the apex
- Splurge packages bundle a Singapore Sling, dinner, or champagne for two
10. Singapore Sling at the Long Bar, Raffles
Image Credits: Time Out
Touristy but worth it once. The Long Bar at Raffles is where the Singapore Sling was invented in 1915. The Sling is S$37 a glass (~S$44 / ~A$48 with service charge and GST). Throw the complimentary peanut shells on the floor (a 1900s ritual). Go for the heritage and the photo. The drink is syrupy.
11. Boat Quay or Clarke Quay After Dark
Image Credits: Time Out
Two riverside bar strips along the Singapore River, walking distance apart. Clarke Quay leans loud and clubby (Zouk is 5 minutes away). Boat Quay is more grown-up, with restored shophouse restaurants where the bridges reflect off the water. Most venues do happy hour before 9 PM.
Bonus: the 10-minute riverside stroll to Merlion Park gives you the free postcard skyline shot.
Hidden Gems Locals Actually Recommend
12. Sky Garden at CapitaSpring
Image Credits: CapitaLand
A free rooftop garden 51 floors up in the CBD, with the best free view in Singapore (Marina Bay Sands, harbour and city in one frame).
- Free access: Mon–Fri only, 8:30–10:30 AM and 2:30–6 PM (closed weekends/PH)
- Booking: opens 14 days ahead on the CapitaSpring site, fills fast
- Same-day: S$10 (~A$11) with a soft drink
- Closed shoes only. ~30-minute visit window
13. Fort Canning Park Tree Tunnel
Image Credits: Aianna Claire on Pintrest
A spiral staircase opening into a circular tunnel of vines, one of the most photographed free spots in Singapore. The southern entrance off River Valley Road, mid-morning light is best. Combine with the Battlebox WWII bunker (basic free with reservation, guided from S$20) and the National Museum across the road.
14. The Joo Chiat and Katong Walk
Image Credits: Heritage SG
Singapore’s Peranakan heartland east of the city: pastel shophouses, family-run kopitiams, some of the country’s best food. The most underrated half-day on this list. Start at Paya Lebar MRT and walk south.
- Koon Seng Road: one photogenic block of pastel Peranakan shophouses (mid-morning light is best)
- Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata (300 Joo Chiat Rd): legendary breakfast queue, ~S$2 a prata. Thur–Tue 6:30 AM–1:30 PM, closed Wednesdays
- Cat Socrates: indie boutique with proper Singapore souvenirs (no Merlion keychains)
- 328 Katong Laksa (51 East Coast Rd): spoon-only laksa, S$5/$7. Anthony Bourdain ate here
- Kim Choo Kueh Chang: old-school nyonya rice dumplings, takeaway
15. Old Hill Street Police Station
Image Credits: Ministry of Digital Development and Information
A 1934 heritage building with 927 rainbow-painted shutter windows, the most photographed facade in Singapore. Two minutes from Clarke Quay MRT, two minutes for the photo. The interior is government offices (no entry), but the facade is the point. Pair with a riverside walk to the Asian Civilisations Museum.
16. Mount Faber Park and the Henderson Waves
Image Credits: Viator
A 15-minute uphill walk from HarbourFront MRT to Mount Faber Park, with skyline and harbour views over to Sentosa. The Henderson Waves, Singapore’s tallest pedestrian bridge at 36 metres, sits along the Southern Ridges trail and lights up after dark. Golden hour is best, weekdays near-empty. Keep walking the trail to Kent Ridge Park or drop into HortPark.
17. East Coast Park at Sunset
Image Credits: Bob Yacht Rental
A 15km coastal park where Singaporeans actually relax. Hire a bike (~S$10/hr), ride the seafront promenade, stop at East Coast Lagoon Food Village for BBQ stingray and satay while cargo ships drift past. Sunset is the magic hour. Take Bus 401 from Bedok MRT on weekends, or Grab from the city for ~A$15.
18. Pulau Ubin
Image Credits: Traveloka
A 10-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal lands you on Singapore’s last kampong (village) island.
- Bumboat: S$4 one-way, leaves when full (9–12 passengers), no fixed schedule
- Bike hire: S$10–15 a day at the village near the jetty
- Headline ride: out to Chek Jawa Wetlands for mangroves, hornbills and the boardwalk
- Time: half a day minimum, pack mozzie spray and water
Things to Do at Changi Airport
Changi Airport is a destination on its own: the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, free city tours for transit passengers, free movies, gardens, sleeping pods and the famous Jewel complex. Plan a long layover on purpose.
19. Jewel and the Rain Vortex
The centrepiece is the HSBC Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 40 metres, plunging through a circular oculus into a basement pool. A 360-degree light and sound show projects onto the cascade hourly after 7:30 PM. Jewel itself is five storeys with 280+ shops and restaurants.
The top-floor Canopy Park (paid entry ~S$10) has hedge mazes, the Canopy Bridge glass floor, and the Manulife Sky Nets. Allow 2–3 hours.
20. Free Singapore Tour for Long Layovers
Image Credits: Dei Singapore
Free guided 2.5-hour city tours run by Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group, for transit passengers with 5.5+ hours between flights. Pre-book up to 50 days ahead at the Free Singapore Tour site, or sign up at the FST counter in Terminal 2 or 3.
Four itinerary options (Marina Bay, Sentosa, Singapore River, cultural districts), each with two photo stops. Bring your onward boarding pass.
21. Butterfly, Orchid and Sunflower Gardens
Image Credits: Time Out
Free themed gardens across the terminals — the Butterfly Garden in T3 (Asia’s first airport butterfly garden, 1,000 free-flying butterflies), the Orchid Garden in T2, and the Sunflower Garden on the T2 rooftop with runway views. Perfect 15-minute resets between flights.
Aircraft spotters: the Sunflower Garden has unobstructed views of the taxiway.
22. Free Movies and Gaming Zones
Image Credits: Pipeaway
Two 24-hour movie theatres run free screenings in Terminals 2 and 3 (rotating Hollywood and Asian releases, around 200 seats each). The entertainment zones in Terminals 2 and 3 also have free Xbox and PlayStation 5 stations, and a slide in Terminal 3 (the airport’s tallest at 12 metres, free with a S$10 / ~A$11 spend at airport shops).
Brilliant if the kids are climbing the walls between connections.
23. Sleeping Pods and Showers
Image Credits: Endless Distances
Aerotel Transit Hotel rooms by the hour (~S$120 for 6 hours including shower and bed, no immigration needed). Public napping lounges are free. Showers are ~S$13 at Aerotel, free in airline transit lounges with access.
Things to Do in Singapore With Kids
24. Universal Studios Singapore
Image Credits: Klook Travel
Smaller than the US or Japan parks (~6 hours to do the lot), with shorter queues. Adult S$83/$86 (off-peak/peak), kids 4–12 from S$62.
Headliners: Transformers The Ride, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase (under-7s), Battlestar Galactica Human vs Cylon coasters.
Be there for 10 AM opening before the heat and after-school local crowd.
25. KidZania Singapore
Image Credits: Kidzania
An indoor city scaled to kid-size where children role-play 60+ careers (firefighter, pilot, surgeon, chef). Each “job” runs 20–40 minutes; kids earn KidZos (in-park currency) and spend or save it. Tickets: kids 4–17 from S$84, adults S$51, toddlers 2–3 from S$41.
Sweet spot is ages 4–12. Located at Sentosa Palawan Beach, ~4 hours, brilliant rainy-day option. Book online for up to 50% off.
26. Singapore Oceanarium
Image Credits: Singapore Oceanarium
The rebranded S.E.A. Aquarium reopened July 2025, 3× larger, across 22 themed zones with 100,000+ marine animals. The headline is the Open Ocean tank, a 36-metre acrylic wall facing manta rays, hammerheads and yellowfin tuna.
Other highlights: the Ocean Wonders jellyfish habitat, Ancient Waters prehistoric zone, and touch pools. Adult ~S$50 non-peak / S$55 peak. Allow 2–3 hours.
27. River Wonders
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
Themed around the world’s great rivers (Amazon, Mekong, Mississippi, Yangtze). Headline exhibits: the Giant Panda Forest (home to Singapore-born Le Le) and the Amazon River Quest boat ride past jaguars, capybaras and macaws.
Adult ~S$43. Combine with the Zoo or Night Safari on a Mandai multi-park pass to save 30–40%.
28. Science Centre Singapore
Image Credits: Pelago
A hands-on science museum in Jurong East with 14 galleries (space, biology, physics, ecology). Standouts: the Tesla coil demo, Earth Alive seismic simulator, Butterfly Habitat, and the Omni-Theatre IMAX dome (S$14 extra). Adult ~S$15, kids ~S$11.
The neighbouring Snow City indoor snow chamber is a fun bolt-on (Snow Play from S$15 for non-residents, jacket and boots included). Entirely air-conditioned, perfect rainy-day option.
29. Adventure Cove Waterpark
Image Credits: Klook Travel
Sentosa’s tropical waterpark, with six water slides (the Riptide Rocket is the world’s first hydromagnetic coaster), a 600m lazy river, a kids’ splash zone, and the Rainbow Reef snorkelling lagoon (mask included).
Optional dolphin and ray encounters S$95–195 extra. Standard adult S$34 on the gate, from S$10 online. Pack reef-safe sunscreen.
30. AltitudeX Singapore (formerly iFLY)
Image Credits: Indoor Skydive Singapore
Indoor skydiving on Sentosa in a 17-metre vertical wind tunnel. Same facility and instructors, just rebranded from iFLY Singapore in 2025. The Teaser (1 skydive) starts from S$69, with longer Challenge and multi-flight packages available. Each flight is ~45 seconds free-fall with an instructor inside the tunnel. No plane, no parachute, no weather drama.
Pro tip: Family combo passes via Klook are 10–25% off the gate. Pay with YouTrip to skip the ~3% FX fee Aussie banks add on top.
Things to Do in Singapore for Young Adults
31. Rooftop Bars and Nightlife
Image Credits: CÉ LA VI
- CÉ LA VI (MBS rooftop): the postcard view, cocktails A$28–35
- LeVeL33 (MBFC): the world’s highest urban craft brewery, pints A$15–20
- Smoke & Mirrors (National Gallery rooftop): cocktail-nerd pick, on Asia’s 50 Best Bars
- Mr Stork (Andaz Hotel, Kampong Glam): teepee cabanas, relaxed crowd
- Zouk at Clarke Quay: still the institution for electronic music
- Marquee at MBS: Vegas-style megaclub
32. Food Tours and Bar Crawls
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
The fastest way to taste-test Singapore without ordering wrong four times.
- A Chef’s Tour: 4-hour Chinatown crawl, 6 stops, ~A$110 per person
- Foodie on Foot: half-day Joo Chiat Peranakan tour, ~A$95 per person
- Bar crawls: nightly from hostels around Chinatown and Boat Quay, ~A$50 per person for 4 venues
33. Street Art in Tiong Bahru and Haji Lane
Image Credits: Klook
Tiong Bahru is Singapore’s hipster pocket: 1930s art-deco walk-ups, indie bookshops, third-wave cafes, and Yip Yew Chong’s heritage murals depicting old kampong life. Haji Lane in Kampong Glam is louder, with pastel shophouses, mural-covered walls, indie boutiques and shisha cafes.
Pair with a hawker dinner at Tiong Bahru Market or Zam Zam (Kampong Glam’s famous Indian-Muslim murtabak spot).
34. Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
The Kiwi-owned brand from Queenstown, same rigging standards. Bungy Jump off a 47-metre tower at Siloso Beach (~S$99–199, peak/promo varies). Giant Swing swings up to three of you at 120km/h (~S$79 per person). Skybridge glass-floor walkway (~S$15). Combo passes save 25–40%.
35. Escape Rooms
Image Credits: LOST SG
A serious scene with high-quality sets. Try The Escape Artist (Bugis, from S$28 per person), LOST SG (CBD/Boat Quay, movie-grade sets), or Xcape Singapore (12 rooms across two locations). For lower-key nights, Mind Cafe does board game rentals with drinks (~S$14 per person).
36. Mega Adventure Park
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
Sentosa’s adventure park. MegaZip is the headline: a 450-metre zipline, 75-metre drop, lands you on the beach (~S$59). Triple-combo with MegaJump (parachute simulator) and MegaClimb (rope course) is ~S$99.
Things to Do in Singapore for Couples
37. Sunset Capsule on the Singapore Flyer
Image Credits: Singapore Flyer
A 30-minute private all-glass capsule above Marina Bay, timed for the 6:30–7 PM sunset window. Standard sunset capsule with a Singapore Sling from ~S$108 per couple. Sky Dining premium serves a 4-course chef-prepared dinner across two rotations from ~S$395 per couple. Book 2–3 days ahead and request the side facing Gardens by the Bay.
38. Couples Spa Day
Image Credits: Capella Hotels
- Auriga Spa at Capella Sentosa (splurge): colonial heritage estate, private couples’ suites, Wellness Discovery 90-min Intuitive Massage from ~S$450 per person
- Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont (splurge): couples massages from ~S$510 with 20% off all treatments till 30 Dec 2026
- Spa Esprit (mid): 60-minute body massages from ~S$90
- Chinatown Thai spots (budget): 60-minute massages around A$40–60
39. Marina Bay Dinner Cruise
Image Credits: Royal Albatross
Royal Albatross is the most photogenic dinner cruise in Singapore: a 22-sail tall ship that sails the southern islands at sunset. Sunset Sail Dinner Cruise from ~S$268 per person (4-course seated meal, drinks not included). Book 1–2 weeks ahead in peak season.
40. MacRitchie Reservoir TreeTop Walk
Image Credits: Time Out
A 7km loop through Singapore’s central rainforest, with a 250-metre suspension bridge 25 metres above the forest floor at the midway point. Free, mostly boardwalks, 3–4 hours round trip. You’ll likely spot long-tailed macaques and monitor lizards. Start at Venus Drive, finish at the MacRitchie kayak rental cafe. Go before 9 AM to dodge the heat.
41. Cooking Class
Image Credits: Tripadvisor
- Cookery Magic: home kitchen with chef Ruqxana Vasanwala, classes from S$110 per person, 3 hours, ends in a sit-down meal
- Food Playground (24A Sago Street, Chinatown): heritage shophouse, classes from S$120 per person, optional walking-tour add-on
42. Picnic at Fort Canning
Image Credits: @chrlen.e on Lemon8
Grab takeaway from Maxwell (~A$15–20 for two), a bottle from FairPrice on River Valley Road, and lay out a mat under the rain trees. Cooler-month Saturdays often have open-air concerts. Free entry, walking distance from Fort Canning MRT.
Cafe Hopping in Singapore
Cafe culture is having a moment, especially around matcha. Half-day picks:
- Studio Frond (newest matcha bar)
- Singapore Miffy Cafe (themed pastries)
- Wakey Wakey and Anagram (sourdough + proper coffee)
- Woodlands Sourdough (cult bakery)
- Cafe Nesuto (Japanese cheesecakes that sell out by 3 PM).
Singapore 3-Day Sample Itinerary
Three days is tight but doable. Here’s how to play it without burning out.
Day 1: City Highlights
- Morning: Gardens by the Bay. Cloud Forest and Flower Dome before it gets too hot.
- Midday: Walk over to Marina Bay Sands, lunch at Rasapura Masters food hall, head up to the SkyPark Observation Deck.
- Afternoon: Stroll Merlion Park, then Chinatown. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and grab street food at Maxwell.
- Evening: Back to Gardens by the Bay for the free 7:45 PM or 8:45 PM Garden Rhapsody light show. Late dinner at Lau Pa Sat for satay row.
Day 2: Culture and Hidden Gems
- Morning: Singapore Zoo, get there at opening to dodge crowds and heat. Orangutan breakfast if you booked ahead.
- Midday: Little India for lunch and a wander.
- Afternoon: A pre-booked free CapitaSpring rooftop slot (weekday afternoons close at 6 PM, so book the 2:30–6 PM window). Then Kampong Glam (Sultan Mosque, Haji Lane, Arab Street) as the light softens.
- Evening: Boat Quay or Clarke Quay for dinner and a drink.
Day 3: Sentosa Island
- Morning: Universal Studios. Be there for opening to maximise rides.
- Afternoon: Singapore Oceanarium, or downshift to a beach club at Tanjong Beach.
- Evening: Wings of Time, the outdoor light, laser and water show at Siloso Beach.
FAQ:
No. Australians get up to 90 days visa-free for tourism. Make sure your passport has 6+ months validity, you have proof of onward travel, and you submit the free SG Arrival Card online within 3 days of arrival.
The MRT. It’s cheap (A$1.50–3 a ride), fast, clean, and air-conditioned. Tap in with a contactless card or YouTrip. Grab is the backup for late nights.
No. Singapore is near-cashless. Hawkers, taxis, MRT and even temple donations all take contactless. Carry a little SGD for older hawker stalls just in case.
No. A 10% service charge plus 9% GST is already on most restaurant bills.
Yes. No chewing gum, no littering, no smoking outside designated areas, no jaywalking. Drug laws are extremely strict (we mean it). Follow signs and you’ll be fine.
Hot and humid year-round, 25–32°C, with sudden afternoon downpours. Pack light breathable clothes, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a small umbrella, and a light layer for over-air-conditioned malls and MRT.
Extremely. Singapore is consistently one of the safest cities in the world, day or night.
A hawker dinner followed by the free Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay. Cheap, magical, and very Singapore.
Pack Light, Bring Your Appetite, Tap-and-Go
Singapore surprises everyone. Modern but deeply cultural, fast-paced but easy to slow down in, familiar but completely foreign to Aussies. Whatever your groove, you’ll find it.
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