Alongside West Coast Park, Labrador Park is the other option along the Southern Ridges providing you with a sea view (and often a sea breeze – a bonus in sticky Singapore heat!). Like the other parks along the Southern Ridges, Labrador Park has plenty to offer and lots of kid-friendly activities and things to do.
What to see and do in Labrador Park
What’s notable about Labrador Park is its extensive history. Although lots of the parks in this area are full of historical interest (see this post on Kent Ridge for instance), Labrador Park probably wins for history wow factor. This is mainly due to the artefacts and information dotted throughout the park, which is sure to interest even the most reluctant little explorer.
There are two parts to Labrador Park. First, there’s the seaside area complete with playgrounds and sea vistas, and then the secondary hillside forest. The latter has a whole treasure trove of history to discover (and lots of shade!). Let’s start with the hillside…
Labrador Battery
Although it’s a bit of a climb, you’ll be rewarded at the top. The park is great for the amount of information dotted around, too, perfect for giving you a glimpse of the past. Although this looks like a forest now, the area was actually home to Fort Pasir Panjang back in the day.
Little explorers will love spotting the six-inch guns hidden in the hillside. Although these are replicas, they are pretty impressive and are accompanied by a statue of soldiers hard at work protecting the hillside.
Unfortunately, the tunnels used during these battles that were once open to the public are now closed. You can still see the entrance ways to where the ammunition was stored though dating back to 1892.
Labrador Nature Reserve
Once you’ve had your history fix, head downhill and hit the sea for more fun and games along the coastal stretch. The Nature Reserve is home to two play areas.
Labrador Park play area – slides and climbing
The first play area is at the far east of the park (if you’re facing the sea with your back to the hillside). This is definitely the more modern of the two. It has an impressive climbing structure complete with slides and tunnels. The play area is surrounded by sand so pack a bucket and spade! Don’t miss the wooden maze next to the playground which is worth an explore. The only downside of this playground is the lack of shade! It gets the sun for much of the day so opt for early doors or a cloudy day.
Labrador Nature Reserve seafront walk
As well as the dedicated play areas, there’s plenty of green space along the front for ball games and picnics. A popular pastime for many on the weekend. The seafront is also great for spotting the tankers and other boats coming and going from the busy harbour next door.
At the end of the front, you’ll find one of the 9 lighthouses in Singapore with some great views over towards Sentosa. Here you’ll also find the second playground too.
Labrador Park Seafront Playground
This playground is a lot more basic and old school, but it’s the location that’s the selling point here. If you visit in the morning you’ll get the bonus of the sea breeze and shade. Always a popular choice in Singapore! Alongside the see-saws, roundabout and swings, there are more historical finds. Kids will love the machine gun bunker.
Dragon’s Tooth Gate
Once you’ve had your playground fix, head round the corner towards Keppel Island. The view here is special with Mount Faber, Reflections at Keppel Bay, and Sentosa in shot. Plus, an assortment of VERY impressive boats.
On this walk you’ll also spot the Dragon’s Tooth Gate (look for a very large rock). This is actually a replica of the original rock that was here and destroyed in 1848 when attempts were made to widen the harbour entrance. Its history goes back much further though, it was used as a marker by sea captains and merchants including the Chinese Explorer Admiral Zheng He.
Continue your walk (and look out for a chicken or two!) and then you’ll have the option to explore Berlayer Creek, which will take you back towards Labrador Park MRT, or you can continue along Bukit Chermin Boardwalk. Both are lovely options (see more below!)
Berlayer Creek
Berlayer Creek wins on the shade factor with its wooden path running alongside a mangrove all the way to the MRT. Look closely and you might spot a monkey or a monitor lizard in the water. It’s certainly a favourite for nature spotters. This area is also home to Singapore’s largest bird of prey, the White-bellied Fish Eagle!
Bukit Chermin Boardwalk
The boardwalk is worth opting for if you want to keep those sea views. The downside is you’ll also have the sun! It’s worth it when you turn the corner and get up close with the yachts and liners in Keppel Marina. With Reflections and Caribbean Condo as the backdrop, this feels far away from the tankers just a stone’s throw away.
Although you can’t walk all the way along to HarbourFront from here, you can cut up the road and then head to VivoCity. If you’ve worked up an appetite and want to take in the views further, then Keppel Island makes the perfect pit stop (see below).
Where to eat near Labrador Park
Depending on where you start and end your walk, there are a few good options in terms of restaurants and cafes. There are none in the park itself, but you’ll find a good range over on Keppel Island if you plan your walk in this direction.
A firm favourite is Prive which is popular with adults and kids alike. There’s a small, but good, nautical-themed play area here too. It does get packed at the weekends so book! You’ll also get a great view of the boats and also the bonus of a sea breeze again. If you want something more substantial, then head next door to seafood-focused Bayswater Kitchen. You’re actually not too far from VivoCity at this point either for a whole host of other options. If you’re heading in the other direction and ending your trip near Labrador Park MRT, then there’s a range of options there too. See our Hort Park post for more on options here.
How to get to Labrador Park
There are actually two ways to access Labrador Park. If you want to head straight for the historical action then you’re best taking the road outside the MRT. Although this is less picturesque (especially with the current construction site here), it will lead you into the forest and the remains of Labrador Battery. Warning – it’s a bit of a hill to the top! Follow signs for the hotel and stick to the road on the right (uphill). Note you want the Samadhi hotel and not the beach resort, that’s somewhere else!
Alternatively, if you’re happy to hit the seafront first then you can follow the lovely Berlayer Creek walkway all the way to the front. If you head out of the MRT and directly behind you’ll see signs for the walkway.