🌄 Family Road Trip from Penang to the Cameron Highlands — Our Mountain Camping Adventure!
We set off from Penang to the Cameron Highlands for an unforgettable family road trip! Camping in tea plantations, strawberry picking, and forest hikes — discover why this mountain escape is perfect for kids and teens. Smiths On Tour share tips, must-dos, and the best campsite in Malaysia!
Are you looking for a fun, family-friendly adventure in Malaysia that combines cool mountain air, nature, and plenty of activities for kids and teens? Let me tell you about our incredible family road trip from Penang to the Cameron Highlands— where we swapped island life for misty mountain mornings, lush tea plantations, and the ultimate camping getaway!
Why We Chose the Cameron Highlands 🌿
When we travelled from Ipoh to Langkawi, we missed visiting the Cameron Highlands — and I (Emma) knew I had to go back because I LOVE the mountains the most! There’s just something about fresh air, rolling green hills, and being surrounded by nature that fills my heart with happiness.
So this time, we planned a Cameron Highlands family road trip from Penang Island. The drive took around 6 hours — yes, it’s a bit of a journey, but trust me, it’s worth every minute. We were buzzing with excitement because… we were going camping! ⛺
Our Love for Camping ❤️
We love, love, love camping — it’s one of our favourite things to do together as a family. Back in the UK, we camped nearly every weekend come rain or shine, and it was always the highlight of our week. So you can imagine our excitement about camping high up in the Malaysian mountains!
The Cameron Highlands offered the perfect escape from the heat — with temperatures ranging between 21–28°C, it felt refreshing and comfortable. For families who enjoy hiking, adventure, and outdoor fun, this is such a treat. Down on the lower ground, the heat can sometimes make outdoor play tough — but here, you can explore without melting!
Our Stay at Zakka Campsite (with a Promo Code!) 🏕️
We chose to stay at Zakka Campsite (use promo code smithsonzakka for 15% off your stay!). Nestled right in the middle of the tea plantations, this campsite offered unreal views — the kind that make you stop and just breathe it all in.
The best part? Everything was already set up for us — tents, bedding, and all the gear. On our first night, the lovely hosts even provided us with ingredients and a pot to make our own hotpot dinner under the stars. How cool is that?
The campsite has such a quirky charm, with an old factory in the middle that adds character to the whole space. We stayed for four nights and honestly, didn’t want to leave!
You can get electric hookups here (perfect for charging devices), but there’s no Wi-Fi — so we used our SIM cards for internet.
💡 Travel Tip:
If you’re travelling around Malaysia and need data, head to a local 7/11 store — you can grab a SIM card for around 35RM (£7) for a month. Great for browsing, navigation, and staying connected (though not ideal for uploading big YouTube videos!).
Things to Do in the Cameron Highlands for Families 🌸
We were so surprised by how much the Cameron Highlands has to offer for families and kids. It’s not just about tea plantations — there’s so much more! Here are some of our highlights:
🍓 Strawberry Picking – Fresh, juicy, and honestly the best strawberries we’ve had since Boquete, Panama!
🌲 Tea Plantation Tours – We visited Boh Tea Plantation and learned how tea is made (hello, worldschooling moment!). Educational and fun.
🏞️ Mossy Forest Tours & Jeep Safaris – Explore the mysterious, mist-covered landscapes on guided tours.
🎡 Activity Parks & Playgrounds – Great for little ones to burn off energy.
🥾 Forest Walks – For older kids and teens who love a challenge, the Route 10 Trail is a must. It took us about 45 minutes up (and the same back down), with ropes, ladders, and steep climbs. Definitely not for tiny tots — but worth it for the view and the ice cream at the bottom!
👉 Want to know the top things to do with kids in Penang?
Check out our full guide here — packed with fun ideas, family adventures, and travel tips across Penang island!
👉 A Quick Heads-Up
If you’re planning to visit during Malaysian school holidays, expect crowds! The roads are narrow and windy — pack sickness tablets if anyone gets car sick. Definitely rent a car or arrange transport it’s an absolute MUST to get around here.
The Food, the Views & Why We Fell in Love 🍃
Everywhere you look in the Cameron Highlands, you’ll find lush green hills, pine trees, and vibrant flowers. At times, it reminded us of Europe — just with a warmer, tropical feel.
Tilly’s Favourite Flower!
The largest Hibiscus flowers we have ever seen, we wanted to take this one home but it was a little pricey 😅 (120RM- £21).
The Boh Tea Plantations are breathtaking, and we loved tasting all the different blends (we brought some home, of course!).
Fun fact: 🌱 The Cameron Highlands soil is rich and fertile, perfect for growing fresh produce like strawberries, cabbages, tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs. That’s why so much of Malaysia’s fresh fruits and veggies come from here — and you can really taste the difference!
We stocked up on farm-fresh goodies — everything was so crisp and flavourful.
🌟 Top Tips for Families Travelling to the Cameron Highlands
If you’re planning your own family camping adventure in the Cameron Highlands, here are some of our must-have tips to make your stay even smoother (and more fun!). These little things made a big difference for us — especially when camping with kids and teens!
🏕️ What to Pack for Cameron Highlands Camping
🔋 Battery Pack / Power Bank – While some campsites (like Zakka) have electricity, it’s handy to have a charger for phones, cameras, and headlamps.
🧻 Toilet Roll & Wet Wipes – Always useful when camping, especially if you’re exploring remote trails or public toilets without supplies.
🍳 Basic Kitchen Essentials – A small bottle of oil, seasoning, and reusable utensils go a long way when cooking outdoors.
🌞 Suncream & Hats – Even though it’s cooler in the highlands, the sun can still catch you off guard — especially at higher altitudes!
📸 Camera or Phone for Photos – The Cameron Highlands scenery is jaw-dropping. From misty tea plantations to forest trails, you’ll want to capture it all.
💵 Cash – Some small local stalls and attractions don’t take card payments, so carry a bit of cash just in case.
🎲 UNO or Family Games – Perfect for cosy evenings under the stars — we loved our nightly game time after dinner.
🔥 Marshmallows for the Campfire – Because camping wouldn’t be complete without toasting marshmallows together, right?
👟 Trainers or Hiking Shoes – The trails can be steep and uneven, so sturdy footwear is a must for exploring.
🧥 A Hoodie or Jumper – It gets cooler in the evenings (which I absolutely loved — I haven’t worn a hoodie since the UK!).
💚 An Open Heart – Most importantly, bring an open heart and soak up every moment — the mountain air, the mist, the laughter, and the adventure.
Reflecting on Our Trip 🌄
After four amazing nights, we made our way back to Penang — and I already miss the Cameron Highlands. It’s officially my favourite place in Malaysia (and Tilly’s too!). Joe still loves Langkawi for the island vibes, but for me, those green mountains have my heart.
If you’re planning a family trip to Malaysia, make sure the Cameron Highlands is on your list. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or sipping tea surrounded by clouds — it’s the perfect blend of adventure, learning, and family fun.
So, what do you think? Would your family enjoy camping among tea plantations? Or are you more of a beach and island crew? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear your thoughts!
📍 Watch Our Camping Adventure Video
🎥 Check out our Youtube video to see what camping in the Cameron Highlands is really like!