Like our previous road-trip destination, the northern part of Singapore often draws unnecessary flak for being too unexciting, too sleepy, and too 'ulu' to have anything to offer. We'd say Sembawang is also unfairly thrown into the mix.
But instead of punching 'ION Orchard' or 'VivoCity' into Waze for the 1,000th time, the next time a long weekend unfurls in your calendar, why not take a road trip to Sembawang instead? Here, sea views, thinner crowds, and of course, good food still await.
Word of advice: Road conditions to take note of in Sembawang
Unless you frequent Sembawang and its neighbouring estates, we'd highly recommend driving around with Waze no matter where you head here.
Not all the roads are narrow and tight, but as you move from the denser residential portions towards the edge where the sea comes into sight, the landscape of the estate can change quite quickly. Sembawang also doesn't have the grid-likeness that our previous destination had, so it's easy for a less alert driver to lose their bearings.
The other reason? Construction seems to be happening all the time - especially as you start edging towards Yishun along Sembawang Road.
The final thing to take note of is that due to its proximity to the industrial areas within the north, expect a fair bit of heavy-vehicle traffic around.
1. Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre
Chong Pang may be the hawker centre most commonly associated with the North, but don't let a road trip here go without a visit too to something newer, less known (for now), but certainly no less cool too.
With the recently opened Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, residents of Sembawang now have a clean, very green and still affordable alternative to enjoy. Case in point: You can still get Char Kway Teow (with hum) for $4.50. (There are a multitude of other cuisines and stalls, of course - everything you expect and want in a good hawker centre.)
But where Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre stands apart is with its new integration of tech. A self-service kiosk allows you to make payment first, and key in your mobile number to receive live updates so you can go back to your table and wait until the order is ready.
The hawker centre is ultimately also part of the Bukit Canberra Integrated Hub, which features a sports complex, swimming pool, community centre, and ActiveSG gym. The sweetness of a piping hot meal post-workout will never get old.
Where to park: We love sheltered parking, and that's exactly what you get at the basement carpark right below.
Ease of parking: 4/5. As with all new carparks, fresh gantries, good lighting and wide lots make parking here pleasant. The only downside is that there's only a single floor.
Parking rates: $0.60 per half hour, charged by the minute (HDB rate)
2. Sembawang Park
Parks that find themselves next to the sea often evoke a different sort of peace: With views out onto the vast, uninterrupted sea, and a light sea breeze always dancing up and down the walking paths and running tracks. And no, we're not just talking about East Coast Park.
Right at the northern edge of Singapore, views of Johor Bahru can be found at Sembawang Park. What makes the green space even more magical, however, are its hilly terrain and inexplicably pristine swathes of grass patches - great for picnics. Here, one will even find the Sea Teak: An evergreen conifer native to Singapore, according to NParks, which can reach heights of 20 metres.
Move closer to the park's edge and one will also find a restaurant housed within an old colonial house, and scattered groups of people fishing near the jetty. Coupled with its laidback atmosphere, we think there are few parks that have the sleepy, magical charm that you'll find here in Sembawang.
Where to park: There are two parking areas here - right at the entrance, and then further along, closer to the sea.
Ease of parking: 4.5/5. Parking is free, and lots are open and wide. Only the pickiest drivers (that's us) will lament the lack of shelter - but let's not be unrealistic, shall we? This is a park.
Parking rates: Free!
3. PAssion Wave Sembawang / The Patio
PAssion Wave Sembawang stands testament yet again to the fact that Sembawang, as an estate, has genuinely been developed in a manner that takes advantage of its seaside positioning.
Think a normal walk in the park sounds too 'standard fare' for you? onePA, which runs the place, routinely organises events at this space, and when we last checked, activities one can look forward to here include beach clean-ups, mangrove walks, and naturally, kayak rentals.
But if your hunger is less tuned towards adventure, and more tuned towards - well - actual food, nestled within PAssion Wave Sembawang as well is a self-described 'hawker bar concept' combining three dining joints, called The Patio.
With a seaview and the wind in your hair, you could sip on a beer here, while enjoying satay and grilled prawns, Thai dishes, or good ole' fish and chips - all at once. But be warned: Waiting times can grow especially on evenings towards the end of the week.
Where to park: PAssion Wave has an un-gantried carpark of its own, and when that's full, parking right outside is possible as well; the place is so far in that there are no markings on the road outside.
Ease of parking: 4/5. Parking is free, but the lack of lighting at night (as our writer once tried) and the small narrow road leading into the area may daunt less experienced drivers.
Parking rates: Free!
4. Sembawang colonial house estate
It's not just Seletar that has its share of black and white houses. Further north, too, is where you'll find a sprawling colonial house estate, with traces of our wartime past still dotted around in the form of inconspicuous, residual bunkers.
Independent site Remember Singapore has an incredible piece going into more detail about these colonial houses which you can read in more detail here.
But if you're wondering why exactly Sembawang has such an enclave nestled within it, the answer lies again with the wide, open ocean: Sembawang Naval Base, which is still in operation today, was built by the British government between the 1920s to 1930s.
As with other colonial house estates, there are people actually living here, so we mostly stayed within the X1 and ogled at the buildings and structures from afar. This isn't really a place to stop in, or have a picnic (a cafe here would be nice, but perhaps also disrupt the unforced serenity of the residential area) - but isn't it nice to be removed from the hyper-urbanity of Singapore and thrown back into the past for just a while?
Where to park / Ease of parking / Parking rates: N.A.
5. The Daily Scoop (Sembawang Cottage outlet)
We're pushing the geographical limits of Sembawang here - but as far as we're concerned, dessert will always be part of a local road trip itinerary, and the North has its own treasures to give.
While The Daily Scoop is no buzzy newcomer, there's definitely good reason that it's stuck around: Its menu is delicious. Interestingly, Single scoops are not your starting point here too (at $4.00 for standard flavours); there are also Junior scoops, which cost $2.90.
You'll find your standard favourites done to perfection here - chocolate, vanilla, even strawberry shortcake - but The Daily Scoop also spices things up with extra specials such as lychee martini. As the cherry on the top of the icing (figuratively speaking in this case), the waffles have a lovely, light char to them. Yum!
Where to park: For the most convenience, Sembawang Cottage - the mixed development that The Daily Scoop is nestled in - has sheltered underground parking. But if that fills up, or if you don't want to park here (more on that soon), there's also off-street parking between Goodlink Park and Jln Mata Ayer.
Ease of parking: 3/5. Getting into and parking inside Sembawang Cottage's carpark isn't a challenge; it's getting out where a tight right bend might cause issues. If you're not driving something like our compact X1, but the ginormous BMW XM, you might be in for a stressful journey.
Parking rates: $1.52 per hour at Sembawang Cottage; $0.60 per half hour at open air parking nearby (charged per minute).
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