Weston Wetland (Beaufort)

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 comments (0)

Weston Town

One of Sabah's hidden treasures, Weston Wetland is a fantastic getaway for the nature-lover. Make your way to the small town of Weston. Your boat ride to the Weston Wetland Retreat begins from the 100-year old jetty by the village.

The lodge is an establishment built in the heart of Weston's swamp area, offering plenty to see and do. Lodging is basic and dormitory-style; a wooden ‘longhouse' with common bathrooms. Go on a river cruise in search of the elusive Proboscis Monkey, cheeky macaques and flying fox. Along the way, learn crab-catching the traditional way.

A hike along the nature trail will lead you to many exotic pitcher plants growing wild. In the evening, enjoy a home-cooked meal at the Kingfisher Lounge, built on stilts and offering a panoramic view of the wetlands. When the lights go off, it's show time! Hundreds of fireflies light up the trees, illuminating the stillness of the night. Another must-do activity? Star-gazing.

The brilliant night sky dazzling with stars will be a sight not soon forgotten right here at the Weston Wetland.

  • Weston is about 2 hours drive south from Kota Kinabalu. The journey takes you through other seldom-ventured towns, such as the rice bowl of Papar and the cozy Beaufort.
  • The town centre consists of mosque, a school and a row of shops.
  • There is a 100 year old jetty near by the village which used to be a large ships used to dock here buck in Weston's heyday when the town was a hub of merchant activity.

Getting There
Weston is a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu and only 20 minutes from the district of Beaufort. Transportation arrangements can be made with the operator of Weston Wetland Retreat, Borneo Eco Stay

Rates
Please contact Borneo Eco Stay for rates

Contact
Mr. Tay Wee Let
Telephone: +6088-239476 / 019 821 8038
E-mail: tayweelet@westonwetland.com
Website: http://www.westonwetland.com

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Starcevich Memorial Stone (Beaufort)

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Private Thomas Leslie Starcevich enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in April 1941. In December 1941 he joined the 2/43rd Battalion, 24th Brigade, 9th Division in Palestine.

In April 1945, the 9th Division left for Borneo in the closing months of World War 11. There in Beaufort town and with his unit under fire from the enemy, Starcevich displayed tremendous bravery when he twice approached enemy fire, rushing forward and firing from his Bren gun. With the enemy machine-gun posts knocked out, his ‘B' Company was able to continue their assault.

Thomas L. Starcevich was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and on 28th August 1947, he received his Victoria Cross medal at Western Australia where he eventually returned to farming. He is buried in the Esperance Public Lawn Cemetery, Western Australia.

After the War, the road where the action took place was named Victoria Cross Road by the local townsfolk and a Memorial Stone was erected along it. It is located just near the present-day Beaufort Police station. The inscription on it reads ‘In June 1945, on this hill, by his valour and disregard of danger, Private L.T Starcevich of 2/43rd Battalion A.I.F (Australian Imperial Forces), routed the Japanese defenders.'



Getting there
Beaufort town is an hour and a half away from Kota Kinabalu City and you can take a bus, self-drive or take a leisurely two hour diesel train ride. You can also contact a local tour operator. Please check under the Directory section.

By train, board from the Tanjung Aru Train Station. Fares are RM4.80 one way.
Schedule Departure : Mon - Sun 7.45am , Sun 1.35pm.
Return from Beaufort : Mon - Sun 9.55am , Sun 10am

You can take a Mini Bus from the Bus Station in front of Wawasan Plaza in KK City with departures throughout the day, starting from early morning. A one-way fare is RM5.00.

Taxis leave from the station at Padang Merdeka in KK.



for more info about Sir Starcevich, click HERE

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Klias Peninsula (Beaufort)

Saturday, April 3, 2010 comments (0)


Located on the Klias Peninsula is the Klias Wetland, a Mangrove Forest Reserve. With the bizarre-looking proboscis monkey gaining as much popularity with the tourists as the orang utan, the Klias Wetland with its large proboscis population is fast becoming the latest ecotourism destination in Sabah.

These tree-dwelling animals normally hunt for food in the evenings so many boat cruises depart the Kota Klias jetty at around 3.00pm.Other riverside residents that may be spotted are macaques, crocodiles, moniter lizards, tree snakes and birds such as the eagle.

Back on the jetty, enjoy a natural light show when hundreds of fireflies put on a glowing performance for your benefit.

  • 2 hours drive via the coastal highway Kota Kinabalu / Beaufort, towards the southwest of Sabah.
  • There are 3 take-off points which consist of Garama, Klias and Bintuka.
  • Hop in the boat to cruise in comfort through the tranquil serenity of mangroves, nipah palms, scrubs and secondary vegetation.
  • Enjoy the serene setting and nature's river trail, while searching for the Proboscis Monkey and others inhabitants of the wetlands.
Getting There
Located 110km south of Kota Kinabalu, Klias is about a 2 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu City. You may want to arrange your visit with a local tour operator.


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Beaufort Town

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Beaufort Mosque

Beaufort, a name that bears the meaning ‘the beautiful fort’ in old French, sits pretty at the southwest region of Sabah. This quiet provincial town is situated less than 2 hours away, roughly 97 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu.

A sister to the Beaufort town in North Carolina, Beaufort is mainly inhabited by the Bisaya, Brunei, Murut, and Chinese denizens. The Beaufort tamu (weekly market) is held every Friday and Saturday. It is famous for its local produce especially the fresh selections of local tropical fruits. When in Beaufort, don’t miss the chance to sample the scrumptiously well-known Beaufort Mee—a noodle dish served either dry or with soup.

  • One of the most popular places for transit passengers boarding to Tenom.
  • From Beaufort, travelers can choose to go to Menumbok by land and then to Federal Territory Labuan by ferry.
  • Beaufort is a fast-growing town situated around 90.5 km from Kota Kinabalu.
  • The Padas River snakes is way through this town.
  • Its only 1.5 hours journey drive from Kota Kinabalu.
  • Padas River (Level 3 and 4) is a famous destination for white water rafting.

Beaufort Town Satellite Image (Click image to enlarge)


How to get there

By bus (from KK)
Price: Price range between RM10 - RM 15 per person.
Departure point: Padang Merdeka (Merdeka Field)

There's no fix schedule bus will leave once it fully occupied

Taxi
Price: *RM120.00 per taxi


- (*) Subject to changes

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