There’s no clue, no landmark, not even a clue on how to get there – which is not necessary a bad thing. After all, too much publicity will never make a good photography haven.


Getting there is an adventure itself. Strictly 4×4 stuff.


The outback of Malim Nawar is the prefect off-road retreat that has something for everyone – history, nature and great food. In 19th century, the vast frontier of Batu Gajah – Malim Nawar jungles was levelled to make way for tin mining by colonial English. Nonetheless, Mother Nature heals in a mysterious way.


Today, the hundreds of ex-mining pools and swamp pockets are prefect habitats from aquatic and semi-aquatic flora and fauna. What more, the ground is perhaps the only place in Malaysia where nature lovers can get up close to majestic big birds such as herons, storks and egrets. The frontier is strung together by a maze of sand trails carved by rural communities and with our insider accounts, urbanites can finally soak in wetland 4WD thrills minus the frills.

The day starts with a visit to Jalan Changkat that exude charming colonial leftovers like the Court House, Tudor-styled hospital and the famous olden expatriate cemetery God’s Little Acre. Get more to know more about tin mining history by stopping over at Tg Tualang to gape at Malaysia’s last intact dredge ship.


For lunch, savor the town’s specialty “udang galah” and “wan tau long” (literally meaning “spinning head cocktail” in local dialect). In the afternoon, explore the outback and visit Kinta Bird Sanctuary. Only discovered 2 years ago, the lake’s islet is teeming with nesting big birds such as herons, egrets, stocks and a plethora of unique tropical semi-aquatic plants.


Key Detail & Cost


Duration: 1 day, 9am – 5pm, 8 hrs.
Group Size: 2 – 8 people
Season: January – December
Price: RM280 per person valid for Aug-Dec 2008 bookings
Discounts are available for self-drive, groups, retirees, students, families and nature clubs.


This excursion departs from Ipoh, Kinta valley. Read more about …
- Ipoh town
- bus and taxi network that service Ipoh


Price Includes …


- Lunch meal at midday with blue prawn “udang galah” as main dish.
- English-speaking naturalist guide.
- 4×4 transfer to all destinations & activities.


White lotus – Flex your photography muscles and turn small details into masterpieces


Quick Itinerary Glance


9.00am – Pick up at hotel. Introduction, trip briefings and safety procedures.
10.00am – See a hill-perched castle touted as “Kellie’s Castle” built by 19th century Scottish planter William Kellie Smith.
11.00am – Visit a 19th century hub at Jalan Changkat to learn about its vibrant colonial past. See Malaysia’s oldest golf course, the first Court House and a Tudor-style hospital that’s still running today.
12.00noon – Enjoy a splendid local lunch that includes the local delicacy – blue freshwater prawns.
1.00pm – Gaze at “TT5”, the last giant tin-dredge ship of its kind.
2.00pm – Go off-road and rummage the sand trails by 4WD in Malim Nawar wetlands to soak up its splendour.
5.00pm – Return to hotel.


Trail Takes


Kellie’s Castle – Among many European planters that set foot in this region, William Kellie Smith undoubtedly stands out.


Hailing from a small town called Kellas in Scotland, Kellie Smith touched the shores of Malaya in 1890 at only 20 years old. He eventually made his fortunes in rubber planting and tin mining. Missing his homeland, Kellie Smith built a castle on a hilltop to be named Kellas House. He died before the completion of his dream castle and the building is today known as Kellie’s Castle.


White god – Being fluent in Malay and Tamil language, locals were fond of Kellie Smith. When worldwide epidemic Spanish flu hit the community of planters, Kellie Smith financed a temple for his Hindu workers to pray. Today, those with keen eyes will spot an European figurine placed among Indian gods and goddess to commemorate his generosity.


Tin rush leftover – Like many hamlets dotting the west coast of Malay peninsula, Malim Nawar’s place in history is fueled by tin mining. The tin dredging ship TT5 is perhaps the only survivor left to tell the stories of Malaysian tin industry heydays. The year was 1939 when W.F Payne & Son built it, costing the equivalent of whooping RM30 million at today’s currency value.


One will have the opportunity to scour the belly of this giant mining ship and see how bygone engineering feat works.



Truly a case of evolution in motion, large lakes and islets formed by abandon tin mines have created a new habitat for the 120 bird species flocking here; some 60 species under protection list.



(Left) Grey Heron. (Right) Grey-faced Buzzard.


The rare Purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus) is perhaps the most striking bird in damp pastures. Although clumsy in flight, it can fly long distances. It is also a prolific swimmer, especially for a bird without webbed feet.



Trails are shaded by towering old rain trees. With some patience, a bird-watcher will be richly rewarded with sightings of large predators like eagles, falcons, buzzards and kites that stake out for fishes and small mammals.


Juvenile Peacock Bass – Teeming fishes in the lakes and freshwater swamps make sure birds are well fed.


Local riverine and wetland network is a highly diverse ecosystem. Up to time of this writing, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia has recorded 564 species of freshwater fishes that call Malaysia home.



Striking flora gives colour to the wetland. (Left) Known as Seven Candlestick, the plant is sought by locals for its antiseptic properties. Leaves are dried, brewed and drank as herbal tea to cleanse the stomach from bacteria infection. (Right) Dove orchids are a welcoming sight as villagers believe its fragrance has the power to ward off evil spirits.


The almost extinct Vanda Hookeriana orchid can only be found here.


It is the only type of orchid that lives in the wetlands. Avid orchidists travel from all over the world to catch a glimpse of its rare beauty. Thriving in cluster of colony, Vanda H. need full blast of heaty sun as well as the dampness of wetland to propagate.


Local orchidists say Vanda H. hates to “get its feet wet”. How true. Despite the constant need for moisture, it prefers to perch on top of other aquatic plants to stay above the waterline.


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Trip Type. Travellers can expect a day of easy-going walks and ride in our 4WD vehicle. The field trip is suitable for the young and old as needs for safety and steadfast guidance are kept firmly in mind. Couples, families and friends travelling together will have a good balance between activity and relaxation.


What to bring & wear. Relax and dress down in T-shirts, shorts and sandals. Bring a small bag to store personal essentials, water and don’t forget your photography gizmo. Weather is usually sunny and bright. If you’re a fan of manual camera, film of ISO50-100 would be best. Zoom lense would be great too as birds are very hard to get up close.


Food is surely part of the adventure. Lunch will be enjoyed in a countryside restaurant that’s hygienic and only uses locally sourced countryside ingredients. The main “must-eat” in this region is the Malayan Blue Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), or locally known as “udang galah”. Mature prawn can grown up to 8 inches (20cm) in length. Its sweet and succulent meat is known to taste better than lobster.


Other Good Reads ….


1. Vanda Hookeriana – Orchid that hates getting wet.
2. List of Malaysian birds and details.