Today is our last day in Singapore and our guide Ken is laid low. It was also raining for the better part of the morning and so instead of heading into the Central Catchment reserve we headed to a couple of parks nearby that are safer in inclement weather. Singapore’s geology is abundant in granite, and quarrying activities began as early as the beginning of the 1900s. In the 1960s to 1970s there were an estimated 20-25 granite quarries supplying much-needed granite to feed the post-independence building and construction boom. After many years of supplying granite to provide for the building and development of the country, the quarries now rest peacefully, providing serene spaces with tranquil views instead.
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| The old Sin Seng Quarry, now wetlands |
The Hindhede Quarry, close to the primary forest of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, has cliff walls that tower above the lake which is said to be some 10 stories deep and extending 18m below sea level. It reopened as a proper nature park in 2001, although the quarry cliff and lake can only be appreciated from the safety of a lookout platform. The path from the visitors centre to the quarry is an easy sealed surface although it may be slippery when wet. It takes us through the rainforest where you can enjoy the plant and wildlife.
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| Stork-billed Kingfisher |
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| Stork-billed Kingfisher |
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| Straw-headed Bulbul |
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| Himalayan Colugo |
Rifle Range Nature Park, spanning over 66 hectares with a 7km trail, the park is the newest green spot in Singapore. Rifle Range Nature Park has been years in the making, developed to help conserve the various species of flora and fauna in the area. Apparently, National Parks reclaimed the land 4 times before it was suitable for both animals and humans. Transformed from the former Sin Seng Quarry, the wetland makes full use of the existing terrain and provides habitats for wetland animals like the Scarlet Skimmer, Common Kingfisher and even migratory birds. The park gets its name from the rifle range that was once situated further up the hill. It was first developed as a munitions dump by the British and as you walk along the trails there remains some evidence of its history, gradually being reclaimed by the rainforest.
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| Remnants of the Singapore-Malaya Railway |
The scenic wetland, set against a rocky backdrop helps to improve water quality and provide a habitat for animals. It has allowed life to reappear in the quarry with many fish and turtles in the lake. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time photographing the loads of dragonflies and butterflies inhabiting the new habitat.
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| Common Faun (Faunis canons arcesilas) |
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| Bamboo Orchid |
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| Pitcher Plant |
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| Scarlet Percher |
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| Tropical Carpenter Bee |
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| Tropical Carpenter Bee |
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| Slender Squirrel |
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| Plantain Squirrel |
A spacious viewing deck at the side of the lake includes a sheltered hut and allows visitors to admire the beauty of the cliff walls, albeit from a distance. It is also Singapore’s first net positive energy nature park, with the energy harvested from the solar panels installed around the nature park exceeding the expected annual operational energy consumption of the site.
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| View from the boardwalk |
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| View from the boardwalk |
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