With such gorgeous scenery and crisp cool air, you should be out as much as possible. Many of the top attractions in Cameron Highlands are outdoors!
There are laid-back activities like strawberry picking. And beautiful gardens to stroll in.
Here is the complete list of what you can do while you’re here!
Table of Contents:
- Hobbitoon Village
- Get Interesting Souvenirs At Green View Garden
- Go Shutter-Crazy At Agro Market
- Pick Strawberries At Strawberry Farms
- Stop At Some Bee Farms
- Get A Prickly New Friend From The Cactus Farms
- Spot a Raja Brooke At The Butterfly Farm
- Explore Agro Technology Park MARDI
- Find Your Instagram Moment At The Lavender Garden
- Wander Among The Flowers At Rose Gardens
- Relax At A Tea Plantation
- Try British Cream Tea In a Colonial Setting
- Dine On Indian Food
- The Sheep Sanctuary
- Brinchang Weekend Night Market
- Have A Refreshing Round Of Golf
- Ride Your First ATV
- Go Hiking
- Head Up To The Mossy Forest
- Discover Waterfalls
- Bring Your Own Bags And Go Shopping
- See Temples Of Different Cultures
- Enjoy A Steamboat Meal
- Visit An Orang Asli Village
- Flora Park
1. Travel To Another World At Hobbitoon Village
This is a brand-new attraction on the way up between Cameron Highlands and Ipoh. There are no hobbits here and there is nothing behind the little hobbit doors.
But this place is well made and despite the high entrance fee, we think it’s worth a look-see if you’re not in a hurry.
See more photos of Hobbitoon Village.
2. Get Interesting Souvenirs At Green View Garden
Behind this large chocolate shop is a well-kept garden that is free to enter. And they do have a Japanese restaurant and open-air café on site too.
Highlights of a visit here are the paddle boats for children! They have some free-roaming animals and a small mini zoo as well.
See more pictures of Green View Garden.
Opening hours: 9am to 6:30pm
3. Go Shutter-Crazy At Agro Market
This is one of the latest attractions. Inside, there’s a spacious flower park. And one unique section called Mini Santorini. Best of all, is the impressive aviary.
See more photos of Agro Market Cameron Highlands.
Outside, there is space for market stalls in the modern complex too. Furthermore, there is a visitor carpark which makes for convenient parking.
Opening hours: 8:30am to 6:30pm
4. Pick Your Own Strawberries At A Farm
The cooler environment enables strawberries to flourish! You will not see them growing in the lowlands.
Thus, picking strawberries is a must-try activity! Kids and city folk will find it fun to pick their own strawberries!
The strawberry season is typically between May and August. Many farms let you pick your own (and charge by weight).
4.1. Big Red Strawberry Farm
This is a hillside strawberry farm on the way to the mossy forest. And it is close to Cactus Valley too.
They have a cafe on-site where you can taste their strawberry ice cream, strawberry juice and have cream tea with their strawberry jam!
- Opening hours: 8:30am to 6pm (9am to 6pm on Saturdays & Sundays)
- Contact: +605-491 3327
Here are more strawberry farms you can visit. It’s a good idea to have a back-up plan if you’re going during school holidays.
5. Stop At A Bee Farms
Learn about the fascinating life cycle of bees and sample honey at bee farms.
Highlands Apiary Farm is run by serious local honey producers so if you really want to know more about the process and the bees, you can mark this place down for a visit!
Plus, they have a section for growing strawberries too.
There’s no charge to enter either. And you’ll be able to see the bees through a transparent hive! But do take care when you visit this farm as these are not the stingless sort.
While you’re here, you can pick up some honey-related souvenirs too! Honey sticks are popular among kids.
See more photos of Highlands Apiary Farm. We recommend a visit to EE Feng Gu Bee Farm for their lovely garden that is free to visit too.
See the full article on bee farms in Cameron Highlands.
6. Get A Prickly New Friend From A Cactus Nursery
There are two cactus nurseries you can visit. However, you can see cactus for sale in most gardens and markets.
6.1. Cactus Valley
Cactus Valley has giant cacti on display – some of which are over 80 years old!
They have other plants here too. Like bird of paradise, fuchsia, camellia, and geranium, to name a few.
We would not recommend this place if you don’t like stairs though.
6.2. Cactus Point
If you have any intention to buy a cactus, they sell them (and other gardening supplies) cheap here! Especially if you buy more. Naturally, this cactus nursery is a hit with plant enthusiasts!
And if you just want to have a casual look-see, it doesn’t cost anything to enter!
More photos of Cactus Point.
- Address: 42, Jalan, Brinchang, 39000 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening hours: Daily from 10am to 5pm
- Entrance fee: None
7. Spot A Raja Brooke At A Butterfly Farm
The Butterfly Farm houses many species of butterfly (like the Raja Brooke) in the butterfly enclosure.
You can see insects, reptiles, as well as a mini petting zoo and aviary. For this reason (and the low entrance fees), the Butterfly Farm is popular with local families.
Next to Butterfly Farm is Butterfly Garden and the two are similar attractions. At both places though, many of the animals are in a very sorry state.
We are only including these two places into our list so that more tourists are aware of this issue. We don’t recommend anyone to visit these places.
- Address: MDCH 3, Batu 43, Green Cow, 39100, Pahang
- Opening hours: Daily from 8:30am to 6pm
- Entrance fee: Ranges from RM5 to RM10
8. Explore Agro Technology Park MARDI Cameron Highlands
MARDI is the Malaysian Research and Development Institute – the oldest research center in Malaysia, actually!
Surprisingly, it’s not as well-known as some of the other places to visit in Cameron Highlands.
If you don’t have much time in Cameron Highlands, MARDI has a bit of everything in one huge park! Flowers, vegetable plots, and even a mini tea plantation.
Wander through the 42 acres divided into many gardens. There is a shop where you can buy plants too.
Read more about Agro Technology Park MARDI Cameron Highlands.
- Opening hours: 8am to 5pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
- Entrance fee: RM10 (Malaysians), RM5 (Kids)
9. Find Your Instagram Moment At The Lavender Garden
Other than strawberries, flowers thrive in the cooler climate too!
Lavender Garden has a very advantageous location along a main road. They have two levels to explore with 3 different lavender species on the ground level.
Besides lavender, they have other flowers including gerbera daisies of assorted colors as well as hydrangea, morning glory flowers, etc.
There is a mini strawberry section and gift shop. You can try lavender ice cream here too! Lavender Garden’s age is starting to show though, and we do personally prefer newer attractions over this place.
See more photos of Lavender Garden.
- Address: 59, Brinchang, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang
- Opening hours: Monday – Thursday: 9am to 6pm; Friday – Sunday: 9am to 7pm
- Entrance fee: RM20 (Adult), RM10 (Child)
10. Wander Among Flowers At Rose Gardens
There are two rose gardens you can stop at if you are particularly fond of roses. Both locations have many species of roses to see.
10.1. Rose Valley
Get your fill of roses at Rose Valley, this is a hillside garden by the main road.
If you really want to cover every corner of this place, allocate an hour. And you can stroll at your leisure too since there are few visitors here.
Note: Due to age and a lack of maintenance, some parts are run down and can be dangerous when it has just rained (i.e. slippery) so watch your step!
They have plants for sale and a souvenir shop too but not at bargain prices. The real bargain is the entrance fee, at just RM5 per adult!
More photos of Rose Valley.
- Address: No.148, Kampung Tringkap, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang
- Opening hours: Daily from 9:30am to 6pm
- Entrance fee: RM5
10.2. Orchid And Rose Garden (O&R Garden)
It might look deceivingly small at first glance but Orchid And Rose Garden has an impressive and well-maintained collection of trees and flowers (including roses).
Kids will enjoy feeding the animals they have – fish, geese, goats, rabbits, ducks, and chickens. We still disapprove very much of such mini zoos, but the garden is pretty.
It’s a good place to get away from the crowds and pass away some time outdoors. They even have a short jungle walk trail to explore if you have the right shoes for it!
Read more about O&R Garden.
- Address: 74, Green Cow, 39100, 39100, Pahang
- Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 6pm
- Entrance fee: RM10 (Adults), RM5 (Kids)
11. Relax At A Tea Plantations
Like the farms and gardens, there are many tea plantations to choose from!
With their rolling green hills and quaint tea houses, these are very scenic places to spend the morning or afternoon.
11.1. Boh Tea Estate Habu
Getting to BOH Habu Tea Estate involves narrow uphill roads, and some of them are only one-way.
But once you’re here, you can take in the views and fresh air away from all the tourists that normally head for the more glamorous BOH Sungai Palas tea estate!
There is a small and quaint cafe on site as well. Which is convenient while you wait for the next available factory tour slot!
- Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 4:30pm (Closed on Mondays)
- Entrance fee: Free
- Remark: Simple factory tour is available
11.2. Cameron Valley Tea House 1
Sip on masala or cardamon tea and have light nibbles from the open-air cafe while gazing out at the luscious valley below.
It used to cost nothing to head down from the cafe to explore the tea valley but now there’s an entrance fee. And this does not include the fee for the shuttle service.
Because Cameron Valley Tea House 1 is visible from the main road, you can expect a lot of visitors here. There are two more tea houses under Bharat Sdn. Bhd. and the second one is close to this first tea house.
Note: Steep steps are unsuitable for elderly and young children
- Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:30am to 6pm; Friday-Sunday: 8am to 7pm
- Contact: +605-491 1133
- Entrance fee: RM4 to walk down to the plantation; RM15 for the shuttle service
11.3. BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre
This is the place that many have in mind and if you want to go here without fighting with the crowds, go as early as you can.
We avoid coming here during school holidays and public holidays (including Singaporean school holidays and public holidays).
See more photos of BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre.
- Opening hours: Daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm (Closed on Mondays)
- Contact: +605-496 2096
- Entrance fee: Free
- Remark: Can be very crowded!
12. Have Tea And Scones In The Cooler Climate
12.1. The Smokehouse Hotel & Restaurant
This is a hotel and a cafe combined into one! The English-style cottage look is completed by an enchanting garden.
Note: Only paying patrons can access the garden!
It is a lovely but expensive venue to have high tea – they have both indoor and outdoor seating. The scones are nice, but it is the setting that is the star of the show.
- Contact: +605-4911215
- Check Hotel Price: Booking.com or Agoda.com
12.2. Jim Thompson Tea Room
For an “atas” (slang for luxury in Malaysia) feel, you can try this posh place in an elegant colonial-style mansion.
The tearoom is on the ground floor of Cameron Highlands Resort. Afternoon tea is served from 3-6pm. We’ve been here a few times, and the food and ambiance always impress!
- Opening hours: 12pm to 6pm
- Contact: +605-491 1100
- Remark: Lunch is from 12pm to 3pm and English afternoon tea is available from 3pm to 6pm!
- Check Hotel Price: Booking.com or Agoda.com
For more cream tea choices, check out our article on the best scones in the Cameron Highlands for our choice recommendations!
13. Dine On Indian Food
We personally recommend Singh Chapati in particular. The hearty meals will leave you very satisfied and content!
But you’ll need to go early to avoid the dinner crowds for this one! And do let the friendly family who run the restaurant know what your spice tolerance is.
It also takes a while for them to cook the food so be patient.
Recommended dishes include:
- mutton masala
- chapati
- vegetable biryani
- butter paneer and smoky aubergine
- Opening hours: Daily from 1:30 pm–4:30 pm, and again at 6:30 pm–9:30 pm
- Contact: +6017-578 6454
Related: More dining options in Cameron Highlands
14. Pet Sheep At The Sheep Sanctuary
At The Sheep Sanctuary at Kea Farm, you have an opportunity to get up close to the 20 or so woolly residents flown all the way from Australia!
Llamas and alpaca are a recent addition to this attraction.
As with other mini zoos, we recommend skipping this one because the animals’ welfare is not the main priority here.
See what it is really like at The Sheep Sanctuary.
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am–5:30pm
- Contact: +605-4914638
- Entrance Fee: RM12/adult, RM7/child, RM3 to buy food for the sheep
15. Brinchang Night Market
During the weekends and school holidays, stalls will open as evening draws over at Golden Hills, Brinchang.
Brinchang Night Market is the main night market (pasar malam) in Cameron Highlands and while it’s not the only one, it’s the biggest and most well-known.
There are stalls selling similar items like winter wear, vegetables, fruit, tea, honey, plants, and toys. As well as other knick-knacks.
Moreover, there are halal food stalls selling roasted venison, nuts, and all sorts of fried stuff. You may find this guilty pleasure for sale too – strawberries covered in melted chocolate!
- Opening hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 11pm
16. Play A Round Of Golf
Cameron Highlands Sultan Ahmad Shah Golf Club or Cameron Highlands Golf Club features an 18-hole course.
The course can be seen from across Cameron Highlands Resort and it course provides sufficient challenge with undulating greens, some streams and sand bunkers!
With the cool weather, you can play a most delightful game of golf!
- Address: Cameron Highlands Golf Club, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, 39000 Tanah Rata
- Walk-in rates: Before 5pm: RM52.50 to RM84; After 5pm: RM26.25 to RM42
- Contact: +605-491 1256
Tip: Evening rates (after 5pm) are halved and weekdays are cheaper by RM20-30! And those above 56 years old get to save RM10-20!
17. Ride An ATV In A Tea Plantation
Check out Cameron Adventurous ATV & Safari for an ATV experience through a tea plantation.
The first place that introduced this activity was the Kuala Terla tea plantation. Here, you can choose either an ATV or 4WD jeep to ascend the hill.
Naturally, the scenery is great with ample time to enjoy the view and snap
Note: Signs of animal neglect present at their mini zoo – particularly the rabbits
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 am–6 pm; Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 9 am–6 pm
- Contact: +6013-534 2002
- Price range: RM60 for 2 people to share an ATV; Or RM20 person for a 4WD ride
Tip: The 4WD jeep ride is much cheaper at RM10 and is great for families (the route is the same as the ATVs).
Besides Kuala Terla Tea Plantation, you can try this activity at other Bharat tea estates (Cameron Tea House 1 and 2) too.
Quick Review of ATV Activity:
Vehicles are not in amazing shape but good enough for the short 30-minutes ride.
The guide will show you how to start and drive the ATV (there is no practice run). Safety seems to be taken too casually here. But you do get helmets!
And the speed doesn’t get higher than 50 km/h.
18. Go Hiking
Hiking is a fantastic way to get a real feel of the environment and natural surroundings. This does mean going through a moist jungle on hilly terrain.
So, have solid hiking shoes and ample drinking water. A poncho or umbrella and a light sweater/jacket will come in handy!
The app, Maps.me (offline maps) can also be a lifesaver if you lose signal on your phone during the trail! We don’t recommend going solo as people have gotten lost before.
As an alternative to the Mossy Forest, we recommend Coral Hill. This hike is short, and free to enter. But once you do get to the top, be very careful as it is an exposed rocky outcrop.
Other hiking trails you might want to check out.
19. Head Up To The Mossy Forest
The top of Gunung Brinchang is home to a well-known mossy forest.
And while it used to be free to visit, visitors to the mysterious mossy forest now have to pay an entrance fee!
See the dedicated post on the Mossy Forest of Brinchang if you want to know more!
20. Discover Waterfalls
A prominent part of Cameron Highlands’ beautiful, lush mountains are the waterfalls!
Robinson Falls is just outside of Tanah Rata.
If you want to drive to this waterfall, head in the direction of the Cameron Highlands Hospital.
And about 500m before reaching the hospital, take the road on the right with a huge billboard and a small sign for Robinson Waterfall.
Turn into this road for about 100m. There should second billboard and a concrete bridge made with colorful tires! Follow the bridge in and you will presently see the waterfall in less than 1 km.
If you’re up for a hike, you can also access Robinson Falls via Trail No.9 where the starting point is MARDI.
Note: Waterfalls in Cameron Highlands are often victims of litterbugs. Don’t expect them to look pristine.
Read more about the waterfalls of Cameron Highlands.
21. Shop For Local Produce & Souvenirs
21.1. Kea Farm
A pasar pagi (morning market) is another place you can check out for local snacks and souvenirs. The market in Kea farm starts at 8am every day.
Stalls sell vegetables and fruit, spices, household stuff, street food, souvenirs like handicrafts, tea and honey, clothes, and accessories!
We recommend trying the ice cream at the PUKU Cafe in Kea Farm Market. Even if you don’t, PUKU ice cream is available at several places – like the Sheep Sanctuary and CH Flora Park.
Note: The traffic in this area is a nightmare to navigate through. Especially during public holidays and weekends.
21.2 Cameron Centrum
This is a happening place to be at night. There are coffee franchises like Starbucks. And the mall has an open-air hall with clocktower and other decorations. It almost has a Christmas-like atmosphere.
Downstairs is a supermarket (Billion Supermarket) too. Local supermarkets can be a great place to discover local snacks and fruit.
Other notable shops at this outdoor mall include, Watson, Baskin Robbins, Tealive, Family Mart, etc.
- Opening hours: 10am to 10pm
22. See Temples Of Different Cultures
Take a closer look at the religious harmony in Cameron Highlands!
You can find a Hindu temple (Sri Thendayuthapani Swami Temple), Buddhist temple and mosque practically side by side in Brinchang!
Sam Poh Temple is a yellow and red Buddhist temple is home to a large Buddhist statue. The temple has a calming atmosphere and spacious grounds even though it doesn’t look like much from the outside.
Many Buddhists come to pray here all throughout the year.
- Address: Jalan Pecah Batu, Brinchang, 39000 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening hours: 8am to 5pm
23. Enjoy A Steamboat Meal
Surprise, surprise! Steamboat pairs well with the cooler weather!
And thus, there are many restaurants specializing in steamboat. See our recommendations for steamboat restaurants in Cameron Highlands.
24. Visit An Orang Asli Village Of Cameron Highlands
Pay a visit to the indigenous people (orang asli in Malay) that live in Malaysia! There are some villages on the way up to Cameron Highlands. While others are in the jungle.
Some of the natives run shops by the roadside selling wares such as herbs (tongkat ali is a popular one), rattan crafts, petai etc.
A tour is necessary to visit them in the villages. Guides will take you in to learn about their culture.
25. Climb To The Top Of Cameron Highlands Flora Park
Cameron Highlands Flora Park has many different sections to explore. Including dazzling white stairs that curve up a hill covered with light purple flowers.
There are seasonal picnic packages and a boardwalk above flowers too. There are quite a lot of stairs in this place.
Do be aware that Cameron Highlands Flora Park charges a pretty penny for their entrance fees (RM50 per adult).
Note: You can’t drive to the park directly. Instead, go to the pick-up point at KEA FARM where there will be trucks to take visitors up to the park. This is an 8-minute one-way trip up a winding and bumpy path.
Read here to find out more about Cameron Highlands Flora Park.
- Opening hours: 9:30am to 7pm (last call 5:30pm)
How To Get To Cameron Highlands
Don’t know what’s the best way to get to Cameron Highlands from Ipoh?
Here are your options:
- Drive – Use the old road from Kuala Lumpur or stop by Ipoh first to take advantage of the newer (and straighter) road!
- Public Transport – Buses from Kuala Lumpur cost about RM30-35 and take ~3.5 hours to reach Cameron Highlands. Daily services until 5pm (usually).
- Tours – There are one-day tours from Kuala Lumpur that will take you directly up to Cameron Highlands.
Or:
If you are starting your journey from Ipoh, you can book a private tour with RayTheTour on their WhatsApp.
Why you should book a private tour from Ipoh to Cameron Highlands with RayTheTour:
- Trustworthy drivers who know the route well
- Easy communication (in English or Mandarin)
- Comfortable cars for your group only
- You can customize your itinerary, pick-up time, and location.
- Direct journey straight to your hotel in Cameron Highlands
Conclusion
As you can see from this long list of the best places to visit in Cameron Highlands, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Know what you want to do before you go!
This will save you a lot of time from going through traffic which is a real timewaster. Do not underestimate how popular Cameron Highlands is with the local crowds.
Cameron Highlands Itinerary
See some examples and suggestions on how to come up with your own itinerary for Cameron Highlands. For most first-time visitors, we recommend a visit to at least one tea plantation, a strawberry farm and a flower park.
When To Go To Cameron Highlands
While planning your trip, consider when the best time to visit Cameron Highlands is. Even at its higher altitude, there are time when it’s not that much cooler in the highlands than the mainland. Furthermore, you might want to skip the rainy season to avoid risk of landslides.
