Previously named Orchid & Rose Garden, O&R Garden in Cameron Highlands is one of many flower gardens/ nurseries that you can visit in Cameron Highlands.
We made our first visit here on a weekday at around 9 am after having breakfast at Tanah Rata.
Here’s our personal take on this place!
Table Of Contents:
Location
This inconspicuous garden is off the main road. And just behind Cameron Square.
Parking at Cameron Square’s basement parking, by the way, costs RM5 per entry. But if you’re lucky, you can park in the front row for free.
From Cameron Square, go around and walk down a steep road to the nursery. There is a large signboard to point the way.
It happens to be within walking distance from other attractions like the Butterfly Garden (or more accurately, butterfly farms since there are 2 of them).
Opening Hours
This place is open every day from 9am to 6pm. It’s one of the few attractions that are still open after 5pm.
And hence, you could come here if you want to spend some time before dinner.
Entrance Fees
For Malaysians, it costs RM16 per adult to enter. You can purchase fish food for RM3/ packet too.
Note: Prices as of May 2024
What To See
Past the huge statue of a pitcher plant, our initial impressions were disappointment. It looked like very little for what we paid.
1. Koi Pond
The first attraction that we came to was the koi pond after some photo props like flower carts. Many koi will approach the edge of the pond for food.
Tip: Don’t give all of your fish food to this pond, there are other fish at the exit
Around the pond are seemingly abandoned cages and aquariums. And a table of small potted succulents.
So we were not too impressed at this point.
2. Pitcher Plants
However, the deeper you go in, you’ll see that the property is quite vast.
There is a map too (we didn’t follow the map, we just randomly wandered around) right after you head down the ramp of hanging pitcher plants.
We had one member in our group who is a keen pitcher plant enthusiast, and he was pleasantly surprised with the variety albeit the conditions of the plants could be better.
3. Geese And Ducks
Loud honking caught our attention, and if you follow the sound, you will come to another smaller fish pond (fish were not in the best condition) next to an enclosure housing a group of lively ducks and geese.
Note: We’re not so sure that you can feed them the same fish food as before.
There is a small bridge that goes right over their enclosure.
4. Mini Zoo
A few steps from the geese and ducks, there are more enclosures.
Occupants of the small but well-kept cages included helmeted guineafowl, a turkey mama and her chicks, a few different types of chickens, guinea pigs (they looked the most content), etc.
The rabbit hutch looked a little barren at the time of our visit but it was spacious.
After the rabbits, are the goats in their individual (sometimes shared) pens! The pens are clean given that there are so many goats. We hope that they get to go out sometimes, but they did seem healthy.
PS: It smells like mutton in the pen
5. Herbs
We do not have a keen interest in herbs but there is a neat section dedicated to herbs like thyme and rosemary. The herbs are labeled too.
6. Jungle Walk
Surprisingly, there is a jungle walk section. And at some parts of the trail, there is a decent amount of moss growing over the roots of surrounding shrubs and trees!
Not unlike what you would see in the Mossy Forest.
The loop track consisting of old tires goes up, around, and back down to the start via another path. And where the greenery gives way, you have a view of the vegetable fields.
It’s a very short walk – took us less than 5 minutes to complete. And it is probably doable for kids although those with knee problems may find some parts a bit tricky.
7. Orchids & Other Flowers
During our visit, there were hardly any flowers in the orchid section but it is well presented.
They tend to arrange flowers by species. There are simply too many to name if you’re just a casual visitor like us!
Their hydrangea setup is simple and too pretty for any flower lover to pass on.
As are their archways featuring jade vines and red jade vines.
8. Rose Garden
The rose garden is quite a substantial section with towering bushes of roses (growing in tires) in all imaginable pink shades.
Notes: Tires feature prominently for use as upcycled pots, steps, fencing, or decoration.
Related: Other Lovely Rose Gardens To Check Out In Cameron Highlands
9. Photo Spots
Aside from the flower carts and giant pitcher plant statue at the front, there is an old jeep, a wooden hut display, horoscope signs, and other displays just begging you to stop for a selfie!
If you have a group of photogenic friends, you’ll likely be here for an hour as every corner of the garden is a delightful photo opportunity.
10. Views
Just before the exit, there’s a balcony that looks out to the hills and farms. It’s a nice view since this place is quite high up.
11. Shop
Yes, there is a shop at the very end. The plants and other gardening knick-knacks here are for sale and we did enjoy going around the small but attractive displays.
When you leave the shop, there’s one more pond and this one holds some pretty large local catfish.
Facilities
There are toilets strategically placed close to the exit and entrance.
And for the weary, there are several benches all around the garden.
Conclusion
Overall, we did like visiting O&R Garden.
Maybe it has something to do with going in the morning on a weekday when there are no crowds. We could take our time and not have to hurry along like sheep with other tourists.
There is plenty to see for the entrée fees. And compared to pricier gardens, we think a visit here is great value for money.
Places like Cameron Highlands Flora Park charge RM50 per adult to enter but they are a lot bigger. And you’ll spend much longer exploring the park.
Lavender Garden, on the other hand, is between the two at RM20 per adult. We find that the maintenance at Cameron Highlands Flora Park is better than at Lavender Garden though. But Lavender Garden does offer visitors a chance to pick strawberries!
