Set in a rustic environment with multiple trails for hiking and biking, the 75-hectare Dairy Farm Nature Park offers a host of recreational activities and amenities such as a nature trail and former quarry. The park is known for the Wallace Education Centre which features a permanent exhibition on the renowned English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace to honour his contributions to natural science. Arriving on 18 April 1854, Wallace used Singapore as a base to study the natural history of the Malay Archipelago for eight years. A contemporary of Charles Darwin, Wallace is the other “father” behind the theory of evolution.
Wallace Education Centre
Formerly a cow shed, the Wallace Education Centre now houses an education gallery where visitors can learn about the biogeography and biodiversity of our region. Visitors of all ages will enjoy learning about insects and other resident wildlife in Dairy Farm through the various interactive exhibits. Highlights include exploring the natural world with magnifying glasses in the Citizen Science Lab, 3D models of biodiversity found in the area and a trick-eye wall. Themed exhibitions are also regularly held in the gallery. As it no longer functions as a dairy farm, there are no real cows at Dairy Farm Nature Park.
Wallace Trail
Constructed in 2009 and subsequently extended in 2020, the Wallace Trail is a 2.2 km nature trail dedicated to Alfred Russel Wallace that stretches from Hillview MRT station to the Wallace Education Centre. In 1854, Wallace stopped over in Singapore during his journey to the Malay Archipelago, and collected many species of beetles in the vicinity of the Dairy Farm site.
On this trail, discover the flora and fauna of Dairy Farm Nature Park through Wallace’s eyes while simultaneously learning about the history of the area through artefacts from the past. Don’t forget to check out the unobstructed view of the surrounding secondary forest from the new viewing deck.
Community Nursery
Singapore’s first community nursery has just been set up at Dairy Farm Nature Park. Volunteers will propagate and nurture endangered native plants from seeds or wildlings collected from the nearby forests of Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The plants will contribute to NParks' efforts such as the One Million Trees movement. If you are interested in volunteering, you may sign up as a Central Nature Reserve volunteer here.
Specific Do’s & Don’ts:
1. No pets allowed in the nature park. Dogs on leashes are only allowed on the tarmac road only and not nature trails.
2. No feeding of monkeys and other wild animals. Please refer to our Trail Etiquette below for more information.
IMPORTANT:
For your safety, please do not enter the nature reserve and forested areas during stormy weather as such inclement weather may cause trees and branches to fall.
Do note that when planning to go outdoors, dial-a-weather at 65427788 for a weather forecast.