Port Dickson is a coastal town in Negeri Sembilan in west Peninsular Malaysia. It is a popular holiday destination for Malaysians and for foreign visitors to Malaysia alike, thanks to its pleasant tropical climate and its location near the ocean. If you are tired of visiting beaches, check out our list of things to do in Port Dickson.
Places to visit in Port Dickson
1. Pusat Ikan Hiasan
This location, which translates to Ornamental Fish Centre, is run by the governmental Department of Fisheries as a conservation effort. It is home to a number of aquatic animal species located in tanks for easy viewing. The aquariums are all cleaned regularly and the animals are treated well. The most popular and rare sighting here is of baby turtles.
Entry to the building is completely free and it is not only fun but also educational, as the many placards and displays here teach one a lot about aquatic life. If you are tired of seeing fish at beaches and lakes and want to view them in a more comfortable, controlled environment, drop in to visit Pusat Ikan Hiasan.
2. Lukut Museum and Fort Lukut
Lukut Fort was built by Raja Jumaat in 1847 and was later controlled by his son, Raja Bot. It was constructed in a bid to control his monopoly in trading tin, but has been reduced to ruins after many years. The Malaysian Government has gazetted it as a historical monument. Located near the historic ruins of the fort is a museum housing the many artifacts unearthed during the conservation of the original fort structure.
The exhibits cover a wide variety of topics, from historical commerce to wars to the culture and normal life in the region. If you are interested in history, or if you are just looking for something to do in Port Dickson that does not revolve entirely around the ocean, visit Fort Lukut and drop into the museum as well.
3. Pulau Pelanduk
This article promised not to cover the usual beaches, but Pulau Pelanduk is special. It is a tiny, little-known island that requires no boat or vehicle to access. If you make your way to the normal public beach of Teluk Pelanduk and then climb over a rickety wooden bridge, you will find yourself on the tiny island of Pulau Pelanduk.
This takes the amazing beach experience of Port Dickson and makes it private and less crowded, which is ideal if you are in a group or alone and looking for some privacy. You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of rare aquatic fish and birds, which are usually not seen at the public beaches because they are scrubbed clean. If you are looking for a magical and completely unique beach experience, visit Pulau Pelanduk.
4. Old Port Dickson Railway Station
Malaysia has one of the oldest train/public transport systems in Southeast Asia, and it is well-maintained and in use up to this day. If you are looking to see a historical site which isn’t usually a popular tourist destination, visit the well-preserved Port Dickson Railway Station. It is the oldest train station in Malaysia, opened in 1891.
The line is mostly still intact, as is the signage; however, most of it is covered in vegetation and looks hauntingly beautiful in all its abandoned glory. Visiting offbeat historical sites like this one are not only fun and educational but also give you the opportunity to see things which less of the public has seen and means that the location is less crowded. If you’re looking for a captivating photo op, or just like visiting historical sites, check out the old Port Dickson Railway Station.
5. Sungai Menyala Edu Ecotourism Centre
Port Dickson is known for its coastal natural formations and flora and fauna, but few people know that it is also home to one of the best tropical forest parks in peninsular Malaysia. Sungai Menyala Edu Ecotourism Centre is a huge forest park, spanning over 1280 hectares. It is home to a number of trails and is one of the largest lowland Dipterocarp forests in Malaysia. Most of the vegetation here has been planted and is not endemic (local) as the forest was devastated by mining in the 1950s.
However, there are a few stretches of virgin forest containing such natural wonders as a 300 year old hollow tree and a 45 metre high Jelutong tree (which might be the tallest in Malaysia!). Red Meranti trees are common here but are rare in many other forest parks. And since so few people know about this park, your long walks and hiking is unlikely to be interrupted. Visit this park if you no longer want to visit coastal locations.
Wrapping-up
In conclusion, there are many places to visit in Port Dickson which are not limited to the usual beaches and resorts.
If you were underwhelmed by the selection of tourist sites, or if you went before and want to visit different places when you go again, this article is sure to help you.