Sembawang’s WWII Bunkers

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The Sembawang heartlands is home to many underground bunkers and colonial houses. Explore them with us!
Chapters

At-A-Glance

Did you know that Sembawang Park was once upon a time home to a naval base – this made sense given how it is far north and it was well placed to guard against adversary from the north.
Today, the broader Sembawang heartlands is home to underground bunkers (lots of them!) and colonial houses. They are all close to one another so it’s almost like an Amazing Race adventure as we moved from one spot to another!

Main Highlights

🌲𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲: Its scientific name is mesua ferruginea but it is more commonly known as the Sembawang tree. You can find it at the entrance of Sembawang Park Carpark 1, and it is what gives the heartlands its name!

◼️ 𝗚𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿: Look out for a small opening in the greens, opposite 158 Gibraltar Crescent and a structure greets you 5-10 metres from the road. It’s almost like walking into Narnia as a huge banyan tree has wrapped itself around this old bunker @ 158 Gibraltar Crescent
◼️ 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿: Right next to Sembawang Park Carpark 2, we can find a grassy crest but it’s actually a bunker that is now inaccessible to all. There is even a helipad opposite this bunker! 🚁 Also look out for an old storehouse along Malta Crescent (before Cyprus Road) that is wrapped by roots and vines.
◼️ 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗱𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀: These look more like pillboxes than bunkers as they are situated on a hilltop overlooking the main roads. With small openings at the sides, they would have been perfect for soldiers shooting out from them @ 250B Bermuda Road
◼️ 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿: Chimneys protruding from this bunker, it looks like a house that has been buried underneath the grass patch @ 291 Durban Road
🏠 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀: Look out for these beautiful heritage houses in the area! They were mainly used as accommodation for the senior British military personnel and their families in the past. They are now managed by the state.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 / 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴?

🎒 Water, snacks, mosquito repellent, sunblock, cap, umbrella/poncho
👟 Outdoor attire and shoes

Photo Reel

Sembawang Tree which gives the heartlands its name!
📍 Near entrance of Sembawang Park Carpark 1

Gibraltar Crescent Bunker: It’s almost like walking into Narnia as a huge banyan tree has wrapped itself around this old bunker.

📍 To get to Gibraltar Crescent Bunker: Look out for an opening in the greens, opposite bungalow @158 Gibraltar Crescent

Head in and you will see Gibraltar Crescent Bunker 5-10 metres from the road.

Malta Crescent Bunker: A grassy crest which is actually a bunker that is now inaccessible to all.
📍Right next to Sembawang Park Carpark 2

There is even a helipad opposite Malta Crescent bunker!

Also look out for an old storehouse along Malta Crescent (before Cyprus Road) that is wrapped by roots and vines.

Durban Road Bunker: Chimneys protruding from this bunker, it looks like a house that has been buried underneath the grass patch.
📍 291 Durban Road

Bermuda Road Bunkers: These look more like pillboxes than bunkers as they are situated on a hilltop overlooking the main roads.
📍 250B Bermuda Road

With small openings at the sides, they would have been perfect for soldiers shooting out from them.

Also look out for the beautiful black and white colonial houses in Sembawang!

A map to help your exploration!

Sembawang's WWII Bunkers - Bean there, Done that!✌️

Sembawang Tree which gives the heartlands its name! 📍 Near entrance of Sembawang Park Carpark 1

Gibraltar Crescent Bunker: It’s almost like walking into Narnia as a huge banyan tree has wrapped itself around this old...

📍 To get to Gibraltar Crescent Bunker: Look out for an opening in the greens, opposite bungalow @158 Gibraltar Crescent

Head in and you will see Gibraltar Crescent Bunker 5-10 metres from the road.

Malta Crescent Bunker: A grassy crest which is actually a bunker that is now inaccessible to all. 📍Right next to...

There is even a helipad opposite Malta Crescent bunker!

Also look out for an old storehouse along Malta Crescent (before Cyprus Road) that is wrapped by roots and vines.

Durban Road Bunker: Chimneys protruding from this bunker, it looks like a house that has been buried underneath the grass...

Bermuda Road Bunkers: These look more like pillboxes than bunkers as they are situated on a hilltop overlooking the main...

With small openings at the sides, they would have been perfect for soldiers shooting out from them.

Also look out for the beautiful black and white colonial houses in Sembawang!

A map to help your exploration!

Sembawang's WWII Bunkers - Bean there, Done that!✌️

Watch Us

About the Place

📍 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲?

Check out our map in the Photo Reel – you can even do it like an Amazing Race pitstop for some competitive family fun!
This information is accurate as of date of posting. If you know of any updates, do shout out to us and we’ll update accordingly!
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