Month: July 2025

The Malaysian portion of Borneo comprises two states: Sarawak in the west and Sabah in the east. Sabah offers a wide range of engaging, curriculum-linked content that may appeal to school groups considering educational travel to Malaysia.

Edventure Travel staff have recently returned from setting up new student programs in Sabah and have provided the latest updates and captioned photos, see below:

Kota Kinabalu – The State capital

• Mosques, Buddhist temples, and churches – Showcasing the religious diversity of the state and harmonious cohabitation.
• Monsopiad Cultural Village – Features tribal practices, dances, jungle food, and head-hunting rituals from the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Manukan Island – A stunning nearby island ideal for snorkelling, swimming, and exploring on foot.
• Sabah State Museum – Displays include tribal house styles, steam train technology, and the history of the state.
• Tun Mustapha Tower – A 30-storey building constructed using a unique hanging structure, one of only four in the world.
• Stilt villages – Unique wooden communities elevated above the water, interconnected by walkways that resemble a maze. Life centres around fishing and water transport. 

Mt Kinabalu National Park

• Kinabalu – Home to Southeast Asia’s highest mountain at 4,095 metres.
• Nabalu Village – Offers local food, crafts, and scenic views of Mount Kinabalu.
• Botanical Gardens – Walk the Silau-Silau Trail and observe insect-catching plants.

Kunsdasang

• Kundasang War Memorial – Features memorial gardens and a small museum dedicated to Australian and British soldiers who died during the Sandakan to Ranau Death March. Includes an excellent 25-minute video of one of only six survivors from the 1945 march.

Ranau

• Ranau Tea Plantation – Tour the factory to see how tea is grown, processed and packaged.
• Sandakan–Ranau Death March & Mini Death March – Walk 1-hour or 4-hour sections of the route along riverbeds, learning about the hardships endured by Australia and British POWs.
• Ranau Camps I & II – Visit the sites of the final two Death March camps. One camp includes a small museum with photos and exhibits from Japanese, Australian, and British forces. The marches are weather dependent and require suitable footwear.
• Poring Hot Springs – Located 21 km from Ranau. Explore nature trails and walk across five treetop suspension bridges set amongst a pristine forest.
• Quailey’s Hill – A historic site marking where Private Allan Quailey, an Australian prisoner, could no longer march and was executed on 16 February 1945.

Kinabatangan River (Sukau Village)

• Sunrise and sunset boat safaris – Cruise the Kinabatangan River to spot proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, orangutans, and exotic birdlife.
• Gomantong Cave – Explore a large cave inhabited by bats and swallows and possibly glimpse wild orangutans nearby. Located a one-hour drive from Sukau Village.
• KOPEL – A local NGO specialising in forest protection and eco-tourism. Learn about their conservation programs and group engagement opportunities.

Sepilok

• Rainforest Discovery Centre – Walk the virgin forest canopy loop and observe orangutans, wild monkeys, and rhinoceros hornbills.
• Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre – View recovering sun bears from raised platforms and learn about breeding efforts and human–wildlife conflict zone issues.
• Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary – See orangutans being nurtured in preparation for reintroduction into the wild.

Sandakan

• Stilt villages – Unique wooden settlements built above water and connected by maze-like walkways. Life is centred around fishing and boat transport.
• St Michael’s and All Angels Church – Built in 1883. Site of the founding of the Scouts movement by Rev. Thomas Cecil Alexander in 1913, and later used to house prisoners of war during WWII.
• Agnes Keith House – A fully restored early British colonial-style residence.
• Sandakan Memorial Park – Site of the former POW camp that held prisoners transported from Singapore in 1942–43. In 1945, all fit prisoners were forced on the Death March to Ranau. Only six soldiers out of approximately 2,000 survived. A new museum on-site tells the full tragic story.

 Selingan Island (Turtle Island)

• Turtle Nesting – Around 8–10 pm, observe turtles coming ashore to dig nests and lay eggs. Local guides explain the egg-laying process, incubation, and release of hatchlings.
• Turtle education – Watch a short video and visit the evening museum. Learn about the nearby Philippine islands visible from Selingan Island.

A 12-day educational tour of Sabah can incorporate some or all of the sites and attractions listed above. Talk to us to discuss your interests and preferences, which will enable us to design a tour that meets all your expectations, curriculum relevance, timeframe, and budget.

Singapore is internationally renowned for its impressive development, dynamic business and finance sectors, and iconic tourist destinations such as Sentosa Island and the Singapore Zoo. However, beyond its reputation as a global hub, Singapore presents a diverse range of educational experiences that make it an ideal location for school tours—particularly for schools considering their first visit to Asia.

The following information highlights a selection of lesser-known educational sites and experiences that can be incorporated into a customised tour, aligned with each school’s specific learning objectives, subject areas, and curriculum outcomes.

Cultural Studies – Singapore’s multicultural identity is best explored through its distinctive ethnic districts. Kampong Glam (the Muslim Quarter), Chinatown, and Little India each offer insight into the country’s diverse communities. Students can explore bustling laneways, vibrant marketplaces, religious landmarks, and historic architecture on guided walking tours that bring these cultural precincts to life.

Transport – Students can experience and learn about Singapore’s extensive and efficient public transport system, including the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network that spans the island. Activities such as cycling around Marina Bay on dedicated bike tracks can also be enjoyed. Educational discussions may focus on the significance of Singapore’s Changi Airport and the Port of Singapore, the second busiest in the world, which handles over 37 million containers annually.

Museums – Singapore offers a wide range of museums that support inquiry-based and cross-curricular learning. Recommended sites include:

• National Museum of Singapore
• Art-Science Museum
• Asian Civilisations Museum
• National Gallery Singapore
• Indian Heritage Centre
• Museum of Ice Cream

World War II History – Singapore’s WWII history provides a compelling case study of the Pacific War. Sites that explore this period include:

• Changi Chapel and Museum
• The Battlebox (former British underground command centre)
• Fort Siloso, Fort Canning, and Labrador Battery
• Kranji War Cemetery
• Locations of Japanese landings and defensive installations

These sites offer valuable insight into the Japanese occupation (1942–1945) and the experiences of Allied prisoners of war, including Australians. Some prisoners were transported to Sandakan on the island of Borneo, while others were sent by train to Kanchanaburi to work on the Burmese-Thai railway as slave labourers.

Urban Planning and Sustainability – As a densely populated island nation of nearly six million people, Singapore has become a leader in urban design and resource management. Educational visits may include:

• Marina Barrage – showcasing water catchment, flood control, and desalination
• Housing Development Board (HDB) – exploring public housing, urban zoning, and sustainable design
• Living Space – an interactive exhibition about architecture and liveability

Nature & Conservation – Singapore integrates nature into its urban environment through carefully managed green spaces. Recommended sites include:

• Night Safari – nocturnal animal park
• Bird Paradise – home to over 3,500 birds across various ecosystems
• Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – a protected mangrove habitat
• Sarimbun Beach – for outdoor learning and recreation

Culinary Education – Singapore’s multicultural cuisine is simply delicious. Options include:

• Cooking classes led by local chefs (Chinese, Malay, Indian cuisines)
• Guided food walks with tastings across various districts
• Visits to authentic hawker markets for traditional street food experiences

Special Interest Programs – Edventure Travel can organise unique learning opportunities tailored to school requirements, including:

• A visit to the Australian High Commission to explore diplomacy and international relations
• Attendance at the ANZAC Day commemorative service at Kranji War Cemetery
• A session at Dignity Kitchen, a social enterprise supporting people with disabilities

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

In April 2025, a group of students and staff took part in a service tour across Vietnam. In this highlights video, one teacher and two students reflect on their experiences and the meaningful activities they participated in throughout the journey. They share how the tour shaped their understanding of Vietnam and left a lasting impression. The itinerary included Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, and concluded in Hanoi. We invite you to watch the video.

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand.