Rifle Range Nature Park, the large nature park be found at the southern end of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, offers nature lovers a chance to take a walk along hiking trails and pay a visit the former Sin Seng Quarry, now a Quarry Wetland. It was newly opened on 12 November 2022 by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, hosted by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.
Rifle Range Nature Park: Outdoor Exploration for Nature Lovers
Rifle Range Nature Park was first announced back in 2017. With its opening in 2022, the large, 66-hectare park provides a new spot for outdoor hikers and nature enthusiasts to explore. It also serves as a buffer park to reduce the pressure on the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Over 400 species of flora and 300 species of fauna have been recorded at Rifle Range Nature Park. These include rare mammals like the Critically Endangered Leopard Cat and the Lesser Mousedeer.
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Quarry Wetland
The highlight of Rifle Range Nature Park is the former Sin Seng Quarry, now converted to a Quarry Wetland. The granite quarry was once 55 metre deep, one of the deep quarries in Singapore. It has since been turned into a freshwater habitat for animals like the Scarlet Skimmer and Common Kingfisher.
The quarry is now a idillic spot where visitors can visit to look out for marsh birds. A Bird Hide provides a quiet spot to observe the birds or simply to enjoy the view.
Rifle Range Nature Park’s Quarry Wetland is accessible via a 700 metre boardwalk, the Gliders Boardwalk, from the Visitor’s Centre, making it accessible even for those in wheel chairs and for parents with prams.
Colugo Trail and Colugo Deck
Want an even better view? Take the walking trail that lead up to the top of the quarry, through the secondary forest. There are different paths available, hard and moderate.
At the top is a viewing deck known as the Colugo Deck, with a stunning view of the Quarry Wetland from above.
Located 31 metres above, the Colugo Deck is as tall as a 10-storey building and one of Singapore’s tallest viewing points in the nature parks. The design of the viewing deck has been inspired by the Malayan Colugo in flight.
Forest Exploration Trail
Young children and families will appreciate the Forest Exploration Trail, also located along the boardwalk between the Visitor’s Centre and the Quarry Wetland.
Here, kids can put their balancing and climbing skills to the test on log trails as well as a boulder pile, the latter is a fitting tribute to Rifle Range Nature Park’s former life as a granite quarry.
Another tribute to the quarry is a rock-sorting display that provides a way for kids to learn about quarrying operations.
There are also miniature colugo poles and rope bridges that show children the measures which NParks has put in place around the park to allow wildlife to navigate in a safer way around.
Bayan and Gaharu Trails
Those looking for a more rustic hiking experience can head out along the Banyan and Gaharu Trails.
One of the highlights along the Banyan Trail is a small stream crossing.
Rambai Boardwalk: Beauty World to Rifle Range
Rifle Range Nature Park can be reached on foot via the Rambai Boardwalk that connects to Beauty World. This elevated walkway takes visitors into the park with a view of the secondary forest’s canopy layer.
Getting to Rifle Range Nature Park and the Visitor Centre
Besides the foot bridge, Rifle Range Nature Park and its Visitor’s Centre can also be reached by Rifle Range Road. There is a small car park at the Visitor’s Centre. An alternative parking location is at Temasek Club, a short walk away.
An interesting bit of trivia is that the Visitor Centre has been designed to look like the baffles that were used to stop stray bullet in the old rifle ranges.
There are also other entrances from Hindhede Road, which is close to the Rail Corridor, and Jalan Kampong Chantek. It also makes a nice spot to visit if you are doing the Cross Central Catchment Area walk.
Rifle Range Nature Park is open from 7 am to 7 pm.
While are you in the area, you may also wish to pay a visit to the bird murals under the Anak Bukit Viaduct.
