Sabah family-friendly travel guide

Sabah can be visited at any time of year. It has an equatorial climate, with little variation in temperature throughout the year. The temperature rarely rises above 32 degrees Celsius and, along coastal areas, rarely drops below 20 degrees Celsius at night.

You need to have a valid National Passport, valid for at least 6 months, or an internationally recognised Travel Document. Australians do not need to apply for a visa if they are only going for a social visit (3 months only).

If travelling with Royal Brunei Airlines from Australia with a stop in Brunei as part of your journey to or from Sabah, a visa for Brunei Darussalam can be obtained on arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan. New Zealand and British passport holders are exempt.

Malaysia Airlines flies from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, and Auckland to Sabah via Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu. There is 1 direct service by Malaysia Airlines from Perth to Kota Kinabalu. Air Asia and Malindo Air flies in via Kuala Lumpur.

Gastronomic pleasures await with the spectacular variety of cuisine offered from continental to local cuisine. In a state with over 30 ethnic groups, your palate will be tickled by the wondrous flavours found, whether in delicacies served by the top hotels or at the night market. All the kids’ favourites like fish and chips and burgers can be found on all resort hotel menus.

Shopping hours are from 10am to 10pm daily so there is plenty of time to hit the shops and get the latest bargains. There are plenty of Malaysian batik, handicrafts, antiques, jewellery, woodcarvings, pottery, songket and designer goods available and you can have fun bargaining with the shop attendant at bazaars and markets.

Tipping is discouraged in Malaysia though most restaurants have a formalised service charge of 10% clearly marked on the bill. If you feel you have been given exceptional service you may offer a small token of gratitude to suit your budget

Light, cool, and casual clothing is recommended all year round, although skimpy/revealing clothing is not acceptable. For more formal occasions, men should wear jackets, ties, or long-sleeved batik shirts, while women should wear dresses.

Monday to Friday from 10am till 3pm. Money changers can be found in most major shopping centres.

220/240 volts using European twin plugs with round prongs or English square plugs.

It is best to see your GP before you travel to Sabah to get the necessary vaccinations.

The tap water in Sabah is not considered safe to drink. Drink only bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals, and make sure ice is made from bottled water.

Welcome – Selamat datang
Hello (general) – Selamat pagi
How are you? – Apa khabar?
My name is…? – Nama Saya…?
Yes – Ya
No – Tidak/tak
Please speak more slowly – Boleh cakap perlahan sedikit?
Please – Tolong
Thank you – Terima kasih

Located on the far-east side of the island (a 6-hour drive from Kota Kinabulu), this centre is a sanctuary for our favourite fluffy friends. Nestled in Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, which hosts around 200 wild orangutans, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre offers the perfect opportunity for curious kids to learn and photograph these gentle giants. Head to the feeding platforms at 10am and 3pm for an even closer look!

Standing outside the towering mouth of the Gomantong Cave system at 6pm, you’ll see a swirling vortex of bats and the occasional swiftlet bird splashed across the changing colours of the sky. Inside the cave is even more impressive, with ancient structures and all matter of creepy crawlies creeping and crawling beneath the boardwalk under your feet. 22km northeast of Bilit, this cavernous adventure is a unique addition to that growing photo album!

The perfect sunset picture awaits at any one of the numerous scenic beaches in Kuala Penyu. Tempurung, Sawangan and Kampung Vietnam beach are favourites among budding nature photographers looking for that perfect combination of azure blue and glittering sunlight. With added ship wrecks, mossy outcrops and rustic jettys, Kuala Penyu’s beaches are an essential part of any visit to Sabah, located just two hours from Kota Kinabalu.