Are your kids the right age for a Sarawak family holiday? Any age is a good age to visit and we’ve found the best things to do in Sarawak with kids from pre-schoolers to teens.
Don’t miss Kuching Waterfront on a Sarawak family holiday
Why Kuching is a great base for a Sarawak family holiday with kids of all ages?
The capital of Sarawak and Borneo’s largest city, Kuching is your ideal base for family holidays.
As well as being incredibly interesting all by itself, the city’s also within easy driving distance of beaches, wild outdoor experiences, national parks and some of Sarawak’s greatest natural phenomena.
Although if you just want to focus on an urban adventure, we particularly like how easy it is to stroll about Kuching. Plus, there’s so much to see, kids are more than happy to walk. And between street food and cute coffee shops and family-friendly restaurants all over, there’s no shortage of places for refuelling while you wander.
Here are a few of our favourite things to do in Kuching with kids
Stroll along Kuching Waterfront: stretching along the banks of the Sarawak River, Kuching Waterfront is where you can see the Darul Hana Bridge and the Astana Palace. It’s also the city’s main community hub, so look out for street performance, food stalls, Sarawak craftworkers and festivals throughout the year.
The Floating Mosque and Darul Hana Bridge, Kuching
See the Floating Mosque: the Sarawak Floating Mosque only opened in 2019 but is already one of the city’s most iconic sights. It’s set on the banks of the Sarawak River, designed to appear as if floating on the water, and one of the best places to enjoy views of Kuching’s lovely surroundings.
Visit Metrocity Night Market: Sarawak is famous for night markets but Metrocity is one of the busiest and liveliest, and only 15 minutes’ drive from Kuching city centre. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday from 4pm to 12am, very family-friendly and a great introduction to local culture for kids.
Catch a Sarawak River Cruise: to see a lot of the city from a unique perspective, catch a Sarawak River Cruise. The hour long afternoon trips are fun, although seeing Kuching lit up at night on a sunset cruise is a real memory maker.
Explore the Cat Museum: Kuching is known as ‘the city of cats’, that’s why you’ll spot cat art in some of the most surprising places. But if you really want to deep dive into the world of felines, start with the Cat Museum and its collection of over 4,000 exhibits. This one is definitely not just for kids.
Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple, Carpenter Street, Kuching
Don’t leave Kuching without eating out on Carpenter Street
You can do other things on Carpenter Street apart from eat, like admire the 19th century shophouses or visit the Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple (one of the oldest in Kuching). But before you dive in to the history, have some food. Some of the city’s most authentic cooking is served up here and it’s always really good value.
Lakeside Cabins, Borneo Empurau Farm
Borneo Empurau Farm & Resort: the Sarawak family holiday must-do with younger kids
Borneo Empurau Farm & Resort makes eco-stays fun for families, less than an hour’s drive south of Kuching.
There really is something for everyone here, from a waterpark and animal park, to an enormous outdoor aviary, jungle trails and even a working farm where kids can learn about sustainable agriculture and see fertigation and aquaponics in action.
A great day out from the city, it’s even better if you stay over and you can take your pick of places to sleep. The Lake-View Chalets are lovely, but there are longhouse-style family rooms too. Or, if you really want to get in touch with nature, try one of the fun camping options.
Zipline, Borneo Happy Farm
Borneo Happy Farm: the cutest place to take kids of any age
Kids will instantly fall in love with Borneo Happy Farm, which lives up to its name by letting them get close to some very cute creatures.
Petting and feeding rabbits and playful guinea pigs is actively encouraged at Bunny’s Farm. Meet n greets with ducks, chickens, geese and turtles are stand-out experiences too. Although, watching carnivorous fish being fed at the Arowana Station might the biggest memory maker for older kids.
Rainforest trails let you stride out safely into the wilds. You can watch goats, sheep and cattle grazing on the Savanna, and don’t miss the buffaloes: if you haven’t seen one build its own mud bath, you’re in for such a surprise.
Rhinoceros Hornbill, Sarawak’s State Bird
Piasau Nature Reserve: add this one to a northern Sarawak family holiday with over-eights
Not only is Sarawak known as the ‘Land of the Hornbills’, it even has the Rhinoceros Hornbill as its State Bird. So you can expect to see images of these astonishing looking creatures almost everywhere you go.
Keen to see hornbills in the wild? Then you want Piasau Nature Reserve, just 10 minutes’ drive from Miri in northwest Sarawak.
Known for its success in breeding Oriental Pied Hornbill, the reserve is now open to visitors, but still a wonderfully wild and natural place to go trekking with kids.
Go early in the morning or late afternoon for the best chance of spotting hornbills, though there are plenty of other bird species to look out for too. Don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes to make the most of the marked walking trails, and it’s best to visit during dry season from March to September.
Gunung Mulu National Park: an unforgettable adventure to have with your teenagers
Northern Sarawak is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Niah National Park and Gunung Mulu National Park. Both are fascinating experiences, but Gunung Mulu edges out a bit for unforgettable wilderness adventures, particularly with teenagers.
It’s at Gunung Mulu that you’ll find the Deer Cave which has one of the world’s longest cave passages and over 3 million bats in permanent residence. Clearwater Cave is another of the park’s incredible phenomena, with the added advantage of being explorable on guided boat tours: see what we mean about unforgettable?
Though it’s hard to match the thrill of walking over Mulu’s 60 million year old rainforest, something you get to do on the Canopy Skywalk: one of the longest treetop walks on earth.
But the park’s wonder-of-wonders has to be the stunning Mulu Pinnacles: a landscape of gleaming limestone crags, soaring skywards out of dense forest. Unsurprisingly, exploring this untamed area involves a rugged trek, best done with guides, so it’s definitely an experience to have with older kids.
Borneo Cultures Museum, Kuching
Make time for these amazing museums on your Sarawak family holiday
More than 30 ethnic groups make their home in multi-cultural Sarawak, and the ancient customs and lifestyles of its indigenous people are another reason the region is so fascinating. This rich heritage is also what makes many of Sarawak’s museums such incredible learning experiences for kids.
Borneo Cultures Museum, Kuching
The Borneo Cultures Museum covers five floors in a stunning, purpose-built space in the heart of Kuching, and there’s no question a visit here should be one of the first things you do in the city.
Kids love the wide range of interactive exhibits, and the powerful exploration of the region’s past and present throughout the collection gives you an understanding of Sarawak that will enhance your entire stay.
Sarawak Museum, Kuching
When you’re strolling along Kuching Waterfront, make time to drop into the Sarawak Museum for an insight into the region’s Chinese community and its history.
Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching
Sarawak Cultural Village is an unmissable museum for families and it’s only 45 minutes from Kuching. As well as the thrill of being in the jungle so close to the city, you get to explore the region’s indigenous architecture, discover its traditional arts and crafts, try authentic Sarawak cooking and meet local people.
Why choose a Sarawak family holiday with your kids
Sarawak is Malaysia’s largest state and known for its lively cities, good family accommodation and thrilling natural attractions. Yet, despite it’s obvious visitor appeal, Sarawak isn’t commercialised, its landscapes remain unspoiled, indigenous people thrive across the region and you’ll find sustainability front and centre on every Sarawak family holiday.
It’s also a safe destination to visit with children, and you can tailor your experiences to different age groups very easily: Kuching and the surrounding areas are well suited to younger children; Miri and the spectacular National Parks in the north are ideal for adventurous teenagers. Although, Sarawak is also easy to travel around, so it’s perfectly possible to see both the north and south on a holiday with kids.
Now find out how to plan a Sarawak family holiday for the ages and stages of your kids