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Nearby Destinations

Nearby Destinations

Malaysian Borneo Sarawak, Malaysia

Lambir Hills National Park

Approximately 30 kilometers south of Miri, a 30-45 minute drive.

Independent travel is fine with personal transport. Guided tours often provide better information about the park's plant and animal life, handling all trip details.

Transportation & Itinerary

  • Rent a car for flexible travel.
  • Use Grab, but a return Grab may be challenging to find.
  • Arrange a taxi for a return trip or book an organized tour.
  • A half to full day trip. Hike to waterfalls, enjoy a picnic lunch.

Niah National Park & Brunei

Niah National Park offers massive caves. Brunei is a nearby country with diverse cities.

Niah National Park

Around 100 kilometers south of Miri, a 1.5-2 hour drive.

Travel & Exploration

  • Personal car travel is an option.
  • An organized tour is a good option due to distance and logistics.
  • A full day trip. Explore massive caves and museum.

Brunei Kuala Belait / Bandar Seri Begawan

Kuala Belait is 30 km from Miri (45-60 min drive). Bandar Seri Begawan is 130 km (2-3 hour drive).

Cross-Border Travel

  • Ensure rental agreement covers cross-border insurance.
  • Express buses from Miri to Brunei locations.
  • Check Brunei's visa requirements for your nationality before planning.

Loagan Bunut & Tusan Beach

Loagan Bunut National Park

  • Sarawak's largest natural lake.
  • Visit during the dry season for the cracked lakebed.
  • Public transport is very limited.
  • Approximately 2-2.5 hour drive.

Tusan Beach

  • Famous for unique rock formations; "drinking horse" collapsed in 2020.
  • Still popular for stunning sunsets.
  • About 40 kilometers from Miri, a 1-hour drive.
  • Accessible by car or private taxi/Grab.

Iban Longhouse Visits

  • Context:Experience traditional Iban communal living.
  • Distance/Time:Varies greatly, inland drive often with a longboat journey.
  • Transportation:Arrange visits through a reputable tour operator.
  • Note:Genuine communities, approach with respect.
  • Tour Operators:Handle complex logistics.
  • Interactions:Tour operator will guide appropriate behavior.
  • Respect:Show deference for local customs and privacy.
  • Purpose:Not tourist attractions built solely for visitors.

Travel Tip

For Niah National Park, a guided tour saves time and deepens understanding of the caves' archaeological importance.

Multi-Day Extensions from Miri

Miri serves as a departure point for exploring more of Borneo.

Mulu National Park

UNESCO World Heritage Site with spectacular caves and biodiversity. Flights from Miri take about 30 minutes.

Kuching, Sarawak's Capital

The cultural capital of Sarawak with historical buildings and museums. Direct flights are about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Gateway to Mount Kinabalu and other Sabah attractions. Direct flights from Miri are about 1 hour.

Mulu Itinerary

Minimum 2 nights/3 days, ideally 3 nights/4 days.

Activities & Booking

  • Explore show caves: Deer Cave, Lang Cave, Wind Cave, Clearwater Cave.
  • Witness the bat exodus from Deer Cave at dusk.
  • Book flights, accommodation, and park tours in advance.

Kuching Itinerary

Plan 3-5 days for exploration.

City & Nature

  • Explore Waterfront, Sarawak Museum, Cat Museum.
  • Visit Bako National Park (proboscis monkeys).
  • Semenggoh Wildlife Centre (orangutans).

Kota Kinabalu Itinerary

Duration:Allow 3-7 days.
Activities:Mount Kinabalu climb (book months ahead).
Water Activities:Diving/snorkeling in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.
Local Culture:Visit local markets.
Extensions:Explore Kinabatangan River for wildlife.
Connectivity:Direct flights from Miri.

Important Advisory

  • For Mulu National Park, book your flights and accommodation well in advance.
  • This park is a popular attraction with limited availability.
  • Consider GetYourGuide for booking tours to Mulu.
  • Flight bookings for Mulu are through MASwings.
  • Park HQ accommodation or nearby lodges require early booking.

General Information

Miri provides access to several natural escapes, offering opportunities to experience unique landscapes.

Loagan Bunut National Park

Sarawak's largest natural lake. Known for unique seasonal phenomena where the lake can almost completely dry up during prolonged dry spells.

Logistics

  • About a 2-2.5 hour drive.
  • Rent a car or book a private tour.
  • Visit during dry season (mid-year) for cracked lakebed.

Tusan Beach

A scenic beach famous for its unique rock formations. The iconic "drinking horse" formation collapsed in 2020.

Logistics

  • Approximately a 1-hour drive.
  • Easily accessible by car or private taxi/Grab.
  • Popular for stunning sunsets.

Iban Longhouse Visits

These visits provide a chance to experience traditional Iban communal living and culture.

Visit Arrangements

  • Best arranged through a reputable tour operator.
  • Distance and travel time vary greatly.
  • Often involves road transport and longboat travel.

Mulu National Park

UNESCO World Heritage Site. Renowned for spectacular caves, limestone karst formations, and exceptional biodiversity.

Information

  • Flights from Miri Airport (MYY) to Mulu Airport (MZV) are about 30 minutes.
  • Plan a minimum of 2 nights/3 days, ideally 3 nights/4 days.
  • Book flights, accommodation, and park tours well in advance.

Miri Multi-Day Travel

Miri serves as a departure point for exploring more of Borneo, including Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

Kuching, Sarawak's Capital

A different vibe from Miri, with historical buildings, museums, and riverfront charm. Direct flights take about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

The capital of Sabah, a departure point for Mount Kinabalu and other major Sabah attractions. Direct flights are about 1 hour.

Sarawak Extensions

Explore Bako National Park for proboscis monkeys and Semenggoh Wildlife Centre for orangutans.

Travel Note

For Loagan Bunut National Park, visit during the dry season to witness its cracked lakebed landscape. This is a distinct natural experience.