Johor Bahru is a popular city of Malaysia located at the Southern tip of mainland Malaysia and a gateway to Singapore. With its proximity to Singapore, Johor Bahru has seen plenty of development and growth in the last few decades making this city an amazing place to visit for a weekend break or an extended stay.
I visit Johor Bahru in July 2022 and decided to explore some interesting places along the way while driving from Kuala Lumpur to Johor.
Bentong is a popular tourist spot in Pahang known for its good food and night markets. I had in the past visited Tropicale Colmar in Berjaya Hills and Genting Highlands but somehow never ventured further along Highway E8 leading to Kuantan.
Desaru Coast is a highly sought-after destination situated on the southern edge of East Coast Malaysia. A mere 80 km drive from Johor Bahru via the convenient motorway E22 will lead you to this tropical paradise. As you exit onto Highway 90, the towering presence of 4 Points Sheraton will catch your eye, surrounded by a plethora of new developments, bustling markets, and vibrant shopping areas.
Muar is located south of Melaka, approximately 180km from Kuala Lumpur city. A relatively little know destination, Muar is a great location for a weekend break and is very easily accessible from Melaka (26 km ) as well as Kuala Lumpur (180 km)
Kuantan is an amazing destination to explore with the family or for a solo traveller. The city is easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur by road or air. The interstate road network in Malaysia is world-class and driving is an enjoyable experience. For budget travellers catching a bus is an equally comfortable way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Malaysia.
Phuket is known for its beautiful beaches and amazing Island Tours. Phuket is very densely populated with beach resorts mushrooming along the waterfront since the 1970s. If you are planning to visit Phuket this year, visiting some of the island destinations must be on your list during your visit. Phi Phi Island Tours are amongst some of the most popular day island tours in Phuket.
Planning on driving from Sydney to Forster NSW? Forster & Tuncurry are twin coastal towns located at a distance of 320 km from Sydney. The ideal coastal location is located at the estuary of the Wallamba River and three freshwater lakes in NSW, Forster is a popular location for fishing and water sports. Lined with beautiful sandy beaches, Forster provides an ideal atmosphere for a relaxed family holiday. The hinterland is home to wineries and provides ample opportunities for camping and bush-walking.
Wombeyan Caves are unique cave formations located 70 km from Mittagong in Southern Highlands. The caves form a series of Sub-terranean channels offering amazing underground exploration for cave lovers. The caves are very well maintained and can be explored with a group tour organized by Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve Office managed by NSW Parks.
Bukit Tinggi is a tourist location in the hills of Pahang. The area is situated very close to Genting Highlands in Berjaya Hills, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Malaysia. With the higher altitude and cooler temperatures, Berjaya Hills is home to several luxury resorts and retreats. The sweltering heat and humidity in Kuala Lumpur drive throngs of people to escape to these amazing hilly retreats.
Pangkor Island is one of the most popular Island destinations on the west coast of mainland Malaysia. Pulau Pangkor can be easily reached from Kuala Lumpur by bus or car. If you plan to travel to Pangkor Island from KLIA. The interstate freeway ride takes around 3-4 hours covering a distance of approximately 300 km.
Bukit Tinggi and Japanese Garden are must-visit destinations if you are planning to visit Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur. All of these locations can be covered in a day trip if you leave early in the morning. Most tour operators for a day trip start from 8 am from Kuala Lumpur City and that gives enough time to travel and enjoy various locations in Genting Highlands.
Genting Strawberry Leisure Farms is a trendy destination for a day trip from Kuala Lumpur. Most day-trippers to Genting Highlands stop over at the farms for an hour before catching Awana Skyway Cable Car to Awana Resorts. The Strawberry and Lavender Gardens offer a pleasant retreat from the concrete jungle of Kuala Lumpur. The children can enjoy strawberry picks and learn about amazing plants and flowers grown in the region.
