Let’s do an exploration of the Seletar Reservoir nature park today with a walk through and exploration of the area, checking out the sights and sounds.
Furthermore, park sits on far east bank of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. It is one of the few places in Singapore still yet untouched by urban development. It is also a place of refuge from the concrete jungle. In addition, the place was opened by Princess Alexandra on 1969 and is also known for their iconic rocket shaped observation tower.
Getting to Seletar Reservoir nature park
Moreover, getting to the Seletar Reservoir nature park involves a short route through some narrow roads and green spaces. This includes a golf driving range small road called Mandai road track 7. It is accessible from the Mandai road arterial road and passes an entry road under the SLE highway. Also, the route passes along a small narrow trail road passing by the Mandai Executive Golf Course before coming to an uphill clearing and public carpark area.
Additionally, Upper Seletar Reservoir park, despite its remote location is frequented by runners, and dog walkers. The spot only accessible by private transport and private hire cars. Also, the park is well served by 3 public carparks offering free parking. With the Upper Seletar Reservoir Park Car Park B being the closest to the iconic viewing tower.
Climbing up the rocket tower
Furthermore, the ambience up here is largely chill and quiet, albeit chatter from enthusiastic park goers or barking dogs. The tower sits on an elevated highland area of the park, which towers above the carpark area. A short gradient climb towards the tower bring you to the tower foot and small pavilion clearing area with the main park signage.
The entrance at the bottom of the tower has a small shelter space leads up a meter-wide spiral staircase up is an interior compact one with no intermediate floors. Also, the external facade is clad with a mix of metal panelling and thin glass windows. It was built in the typical 70s vibes similarly seen in the Jurong hill park.
Moreover, the area is secluded and rustic on its own. Quiet and free from traffic noise with the background chipping of birds and the occasional flock of birds crossing by.
Views at the top
Additionally, the tower is thin and shaped like a rocket. Tall, slender with a pointed top and observation balcony on the top floor. The top of the tower has a balcony offering a full 360 view of the Reservoir and nature reserve area. Past a small lockable door at the top brings you up to the top viewing deck. The top deck is not sheltered from the elements and linted with thin handrails overlooking the top overlooking balcony.
Panorama of Seletar Reservoir park at the top of the Rocket Tower
From the top, to your left the road runs along the banks of the Reservoir which ends as a dead end with a U-turn point. The roads here Isa popular jogging route as well as dog walkers. The path here is a Reservoir service road which serves a boat jetty used by the Pub for Reservoir service works.
Also, on the right the road runs towards Mandai road, which has a small carpark and mini park with a bus stop served by bus service 138. Also, right in front of the tower is the Mandai Nature Reserve Singapore zoo. Though it is hard make up much of the zoo by the surrounding vegetation. Towards the rear of the tower is where the park’s carpark reside.
The more spectacular side is the view facing the Seletar reservoir. Here, a lone tree sits on a grass opening right in front of the tower. Notably, this lone tree by the Reservoir is a popular item in many wedding photos of couples. The tree sits adjacent to a small tiled roof shelter overlooking the waters in a patch of green.
All in all, that wraps up our visit to Seletar Reservoir. The park is not at all large and you probably be good or an hour or at most two with nature. It can get rather busy too, especially on weekends. Still, a nice escape from the Singapore urban concrete jungle.
