It’s always inspiring to rediscover the great outdoors, and even in the biggest cities, nature is never too far away.
Enjoy the first blooms in the mountains of Hokkaido, trek through South Asia’s densest rainforest in Sri Lanka, or laze on a beach in Southeast Asia — these nature-filled places are less than a three-hour drive (or ferry ride) from some of Asia and Australia’s major cities.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Perth, Australia
A quick ferry ride from the Western Australian capital, Rottnest Island is a wildlife haven. Its most famous residents are the quokkas, small furry wallabies who live in trees. Though nocturnal, they roam the bushes in the early mornings and evenings.
With clear turquoise waters and a thriving coral reef, the island is also perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Pinky Beach, named for its seemingly pink sand when the sun hits it at the right angle, is a sheltered bay that’s good for swimming.
There’s also the Little Salmon Bay snorkel trail, which is filled with vibrant corals and colorful fish.
Singapore
Visitors to the island nation might be surprised to find that there are pockets of wilderness dotting bustling Singapore. One such place is the 140-acre Kranji Marshes in the northwest.
The freshwater marshes, home to monitor lizards, dragonflies and numerous bird species, were formed when construction of the Kranji Reservoir in the 1970s led to mangroves being inundated.
In the northeast is Coney Island, or Pulau Serangoon, a 329-acre sliver of an island filled with acacia and casuarina trees. Approximately 80 bird species inhabit the mangrove and forest habitats, which are flanked by white sand beaches.
Timber from fallen trees is repurposed into park signage, benches and boardwalks.
Hong Kong
A nature escape is only ever a ferry ride away from the urban sprawl of Hong Kong’s main island. Choose to spend time on just one of Hong Kong’s more than 250 islands, or spend a day island-hopping, taking on mountainous hiking trails or relaxing on the beach.
Po Toi is a quick ferry ride south from Aberdeen or Stanley on Hong Kong Island. The Po Toi Country Trail loops around the island and leads to sites such as Tin Hau Temple, which has a wide-angle view of the ocean.
The bigger Lamma Island has the 90-minute Family Trail that links picturesque hills to stunning beaches and fishing villages. Pint-sized Peng Chau has a heritage trail and wonderful swimming beaches.
Sapporo, Japan
The biggest national park in Hokkaido, Daisetsuzan is a charming, fairy-tale park with more than 250 species of alpine plants.
The park, just a 2.5-hour drive from Sapporo, is home to brown bears, deer, red foxes and the adorable Japanese pika, a small, round, reddish-brown mammal.
The park’s natural beauty is best experienced via one of its many hiking trails, some of which lead to hot springs and waterfalls. The stunning mountain range is never far from sight, and in the spring, colorful flowers take over the landscape.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Stunning Big Almaty Lake is only an hour and a half drive from Kazakhstan’s biggest city. This strikingly teal alpine reservoir is set 8,200 feet above sea level in the Ili Alatau mountains by the Kyrgyz border.
Snowcapped peaks encircle the lake, and there are plenty of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty that cut through forests with towering pine and fir trees.
In May, it’s easier to drive to the lake, as the ice will have melted from the roads. The lake will still be frozen, though, giving it a luminescent quality.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
From Kuala Lumpur, head an hour and a half south to the forested nature reserve, Tanjung Tuan, aka Cape Rachado. The reserve has lush jungle trails with a 16th-century Portuguese lighthouse on the summit and hidden beaches framed by low-lying trees with branches that swoop into the water.
The Monkey Bay trail, inhabited by monkeys, is a short and scenic hike through the forest canopy that leads to the gold-sand Monkey Bay.
Another easy trail is Vantage Point, named for its breathtaking views of the bright turquoise Malacca Strait. Continue straight to the base of the cape where the Blue Lagoon awaits.
Go for a rewarding swim, and then relax and dry off under a tree.
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Taiwan’s first national park, Kenting National Park, was established in 1972. It occupies the southern tip of Taiwan, about two hours south of Kaohsiung, and has lush forests and inviting beaches.
Hike up the green hills to Maobitou, which has sweeping views of a rocky beach and waves crashing on black rock. Houbihu has plenty of caves that lead to hidden beaches that are good for snorkeling.
For a laid-back beach experience, there’s Jialeshui, which means “happy waters.” A local surf spot, Jialeshui has a delightful gold-sand beach with blue swells. It’s also one of Taiwan’s best places to stargaze, with the Milky Way visible on a clear night.
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
A 2.5-hour drive from Mirissa transports visitors to the oldest surviving tropical rainforest in South Asia. Purple-faced monkeys, jungle squirrels, tree frogs, lizards and birds all inhabit the 88,960-acre Sinharaja Forest Reserve, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in Sri Lanka.
Hike through the mist-laden forest, one of Asia’s densest, with lush canopies and moss-covered trees, taking breaks to dip under waterfalls.
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