Rifle Range Nature Park is a new 66 hectare parked situated south of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It adds on 7km of trails and boardwalks to the sprawling Central Nature Park Network, and includes a couple of interesting features to accommodate both human visitors (us) and wildlife.
Highlights include Quarry Wetland, which has been transformed from the former Sin Seng Quarry into a habitat for wetland animals. This is a tranquil spot defined by granite cliffs and calm green waters – and is great for a spot of birdwatching. Head to the Waterhen Hide, where you can buckle down for a chance to catch wetland species such as the Yellow Bittern and up to five species of kingfishers.
Look up and you'll notice the Coluga Deck perched 31 metres above the former quarry. You can reach this lookout point – shaped like a Sunda colugo (flying lemur) in flight – via the Coluga Trail, a moderately challenging trail with steps to the top.
Rambai Trail offers a more sedate and accessible walk. You can get onto it via an overhead bridge that links directly to Beauty World Centre Level 4. This trail also leads onto the Gilders Boardwalk, which offers a unique opportunity to view animal crossing features. Keep your eye on the rope bridges and colugo poles overhead, because you might see long-tailed macaques and Sunda colugos dashing across.
Rifle Range Nature Park also has a Forest Exploration Trail with a nature-inspired play area for kids to ramble about in, and more rustic hikes along the Banyan and Gaharu Trail. To find out more about the new nature park, visit nparks.gov.sg.