I have plenty of things to see in Penang during my week there, but any suggestions for day tours off the island that don't cost the earth?

I'm thinking of The Highlands or Malacca, but are they worth it for just a day?

Thanks.

we went to the cameron highlands back in March and was extremely disappointed,

15 years ago might have been beautiful but now its a Chinese day trippers nightmare

If you do go DONT go on a weekend

You could hop over to Sumatra for a day or two

On the island, go to the Botanic Gardens - one of the very best in Asia.

Interesting comment, Richard. We were in Penang a few years ago and were considering visiting the highlands. Didn't due to some timing issues. Have you been to Malacca? I've heard it's quite interesting.

xen: I missed that one! Next time we are there, I'll stop by for sure.

Both Cameron Highlands and Malacca aren't really day trips, each are about 5 hours drive one way.

For a day trip you could go to Taiping a nice little city just a one hour drive south of Penang. There is a zoo and the Lake Gardens (former tin mines) are very nice, it's the first Public Garden in Malaysia and dates from 1880.

For excellent seafood go to nearby Kuala Sepetang. On your way there you will pass Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, also a good stop to spend an hour or so.

If you want to go to a Hill station try nearby Bukit Larut, formerly known as Maxwell Hill Founded in 1884, it is the oldest hill resort in Malaysia at an altitude of 1000 meter.

If you do make sure you bring an umbrella, it's the wettest spot in Malaysia.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll defo make the effort to see the gardens- not somewhere I'd heard of before.

The boat comes back at sunset, about 7.30.

http://www.nctoursonline.com/cruise/cruises-amusementworld-package-oct10.htm

There is a zoo in Butterworth,mainly birds,good one though. Malaysia is getting quite urbanised,not unexpected really. The buses in Penang are good and cheap and frequent,go to the other end,nice beaches,nice swimming pool a few miles back.

Think Singapore if a a couple of days to spare,(not weekends)go see the WW2 sites. As for Malacca ,forget it

Thanks for additional hints. No, I only have a week, so not going to Singapore.

I went to Malacca in the 70s. Seemed OK then, but I guess everything changes.