In the heart of South-East Asia, Malaysia offers a wonderful range of experiences for families. From the bustling capital Kuala Lumpur, with its colonial-style buildings and cultural sites, to attractions such as LEGOLAND Malaysia and wildlife experiences on the island of Borneo, there really is something for everyone!
Malaysia is made up of 13 states and three federal territories, separated into two regions by the South China Sea. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, lies on Peninsular Malaysia (also known as West Malaysia), while East Malaysia (also known as Malaysia-Borneo) includes Sabah and Sarawak.
The beautiful islands off the state of Terengganu, including Redang Island, Perhentian Island and Tenggol Island, are Malaysia’s hidden gems, with pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear water.
Top things see & do in Kuala Lumpur
Petronas Twin Towers
It’s worth spending at least a couple of days in Kuala Lumpur to see the sights, including the 88-storey skyscrapers Petronas Twin Towers.
Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
Kuala Lumpur Bird Park in the scenic Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens is home to around 200 species.
Batu Caves
Exploring the magnificent temples created amongst the limestone hills at Batu Caves, which is around a 20-minute drive from the city, is a must.
Museums and aquariums
The quirky mini-museum MinNature Malaysia is also worth checking out, along with the Aquaria KLCC aquarium.
KLCC Park
Beautiful KLCC Park has a gigantic playground, wading pool and sculpture garden.
Malaysia's best theme parks for families
Berjaya Times Square Theme Park
Malaysia also boasts a tonne of fun theme parks. Berjaya Times Square Theme Park in Kuala Lumpur is the largest indoor theme park in the country, with a range of rides across two sections – Galaxy Station for the thrill seekers and Fantasy Garden for young ones.
LEGOLAND Malaysia
LEGOLAND Malaysia in Johor, in Malaysia’s south, has eight awesome themed areas, as well as a water park with more than 20 slides, rides and a wave pool, plus an aquarium displaying 13,000 sea creatures.
Escape Penang
ESCAPE Penang has 40 rides and attractions, including rope and obstacle courses, ziplines and the world’s longest inner tube slide.
The Habitat Penang Hill
Admire the view over historic Georgetown from 13 metres above the ground on the oval-shaped Treetop Walk at The Habitat Penang Hill.
The TOP Penang
Walk amongst dinosaurs, brave the Observatory Deck and discover marine life in the aquarium at The Top Penang.
Genting SkyWorlds
In the state of Pahang, East of Kuala Lumpur, Genting SkyWorlds has more than 20 rides and attractions spread throughout nine movie and adventure inspired “worlds”, including Ice Age, Eagle Mountain and Rio.
Sunway Lost World of Tambun
Around two hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur or Penang, Sunway Lost World of Tambun has everything from natural hot springs to rollercoasters.
Sunway Lagoon
Sunway Lagoon, around 15 minutes’ drive from Kuala Lumpur, has more than 90 attractions spread across six adventure zones, including Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon, Scream Park, Water Park and Wildlife Park.
Malaysia's animal encounters and wildlife sanctuaries
Meet orangutans at The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Take a snorkelling day trip from Sabah
Sipadan Island, off the East Coast of Sabah, is a great destination for snorkelling and scuba diving, with beautiful coral and the opportunity to swim with marine life such as turtles and manta rays. Or take a shuttle boat from KK to discover diverse marine life and pretty coral reefs while snorkelling or swimming the warm waters around the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.
National Elephant Conservation Centre at Kuala Gandah
Spot rare Borneo animals at Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Spot some of Sabah’s protected animals including the Borneo pygmy elephant and hundreds of birds at Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Its mud volcanoes are also popular with the kids.
See probiscus monkeys on a river cruise
See the proboscis monkey on the Klias Wetlands River Safari. When returning towards evening, kids will enjoy the firefly show.
Family-friendly outdoor adventures in Malaysia
Climb the mighty Mt Kinabalu
Adventurous families with older kids could tackle climbing Mt Kinabalu – the highest peak in Malaysia at just over 4,000 metres. It usually takes two days and a night to climb the mountain, which lies in Sabah.
Explore Kinabalu Park - a World Heritage Site
You can also trek the trails of the Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site and enjoy the vista of streams, waterfalls and caves. The kids will have fun spotting wildlife from suspended walkways built above the forest canopy. While you’re there, grab some R&R in the pools at Poring Hot Springs and be enthralled by the catepillar house at Kipandi Butterfly Park.
Get outdoors in the Danum Valley Conservation Area
The Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah offers short one to two-hour jungle treks – great for the kiddies. They’ll see lots of interesting animals, plants and trees and enjoy the thrill of the canopy walk.
Visit Mari Mari Cultural Village in Sabah
Don’t miss the chance to visit Mari Mari Cultural Village in Sabah.
Go whitewater rafting on the Padas River
Take the train trip through the scenic Padas River Gorge to Tenom for spectacular river and mountain views, then go whitewater rafting on waters ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 5 rapids.
Adventure activities in Perak
You can also go rafting or abseiling down waterfalls in Perak, on Malaysia Peninsula.
Taman Negara National Park
Walk on one of the world’s longest canopy walkways in Taman Negara National Park in the state of Pahang, east of Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia's best family resorts
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort has a hotel with themed rooms, including a Pirate room, a Kingdom room for wannabe kings and queens, and an Adventure room ideal for little explorers. Families can meet and greet LEGO characters in the lobby, take part in treasure hunts, or spend a day by the pool.
Desaru Coast resorts
The Desaru Coast, also in Johor, is also home to some great hotels, including a Hard Rock Hotel and a Westin.
Sunway City resorts
Sunway City, which is also home to Sunway Lagoon theme park, also has three resorts. They include the flagship five-star Sunway Resort, the four-star Sunway Pyramid Hotel, and Sunway Clio Hotel.
Shangri-La resorts
Shangri-La also has several family-friendly resorts in Malaysia, including in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Kinabalu.
Parkroyal Penang Resort
Parkroyal Penang Resort has a Koko-Nut Kids’ Klub, Amazonia watersplash theme park, and a pool with a baby wading pool.
Club Med resorts
All-inclusive holiday company Club Med also has a resort at Cherating Beach, on Malaysia’s East Coast, and plans to open a sustainable resort in northern Borneo in 2025. Club Med Borneo will be surrounded by rainforest at pristine Kuala Penyu Beach, 90-minutes’ drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Guests at the 400-room resort will be able to go island hopping, whitewater river rafting and immerse themselves in Borneo’s heritage through activities such as evening dance shows, traditional rug and jewellery making, and interactive cooking classes. The resort’s design will be inspired by traditional Borneo ethnic cultures, and built using local and sustainably sourced natural materials.
How to get to Malaysia from Australia
Malaysia’s flagship carrier, Malaysia Airlines, flies to Kuala Lumpur, with connections to other parts of the country. Flights take around eight-and-a-half hours from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, seven-and-a-half hours from Adelaide and five-and-a-half hours from Perth. Budget carrier Scoot flies to several Malaysian destinations via Singapore from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. They include Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi.
In partnership with Tourism Malaysia
Opening image: See traditional dance in Malaysia
