Kunak - a town in east of Sabah

Places of Interest in
KUNAK

Updated on : 2 April 2013 TUE 2:30PM

KG. KADAZAN

Tabawan Island is the highest and largest of a group of heavily wooded islands lying in the southwest quadrant of Darvel Bay (Telukan Lahad Datu), Sabah.
It has dual volcanic peaks, and is 275 meters at its highest point. On the south side of the island there is a small bay, or inlet, quite deep, at 25 to 35 meters.

It is about 7.25 kilometers from Batik Island, which lies to the southeast. The whole island not much sandy beach but full with green forest trees, mangroves and plants.

Goat, wild boars, birds & even otters living on the island and can easy to seen.

Tabawan Island also known as Pearl Island where private Cultured or farmed pearls firm has long been established there.

Near to House Reef where can seen beautiful reefs thanks to Pearls Firm, Fish Firm, Forestry Department and Enforcement units well protect and taking care the area.

Go Diving or snorkeling must only go thought one newly tour company for looking after. It best to have only one island one resort for control and conservation.

Contact Sulawesi Sea Safari can arrange booking there. Below pictures are taken recently at the Tabawan Island!! Enjoy It!!!

Japanese Tunnel
The Hidden Attraction Of Kunak, Sabah

Ex War Japanese Tunnel
Underground tunnel built by the Japanese during WWII
An Eight kilometer long tunnel that branches into four directions is located within the grounds of the Sime Darby plantation. The site of the tunnel is about 12 kilometer from Kunak town.

The secret tunnel is believed to be used by the Japanese Army to ferry and store weapons. The tunnel is big enough to allow a 10-wheel truck to pass through and was accidentally discovered in the 1970’s by the Ibans who were tasked to clear up the jungle. They initially discovered a section of the tunnel that had collapsed.

The tunnel that is four meters in diameter leaves many questions unanswered like where it begins and ends. There is no official records on the tunnel. Some believe that the tunnel reaches the Sulawesi Sea.

According to the elders in the district, some have tried to explore the tunnel to reveal its secrets but failed to go in further as there was no air in the tunnel.

Every year there will be Japanese families coming to conduct prayers at the tunnel site. This Japanese tunnel can serve as a historical tourism location.

The tunnel is yet to be developed as a tourism product, a proposal has been made to Sabah government to promote the tunnel.

Crude Palm Oil Mills in Kunak

There are 6 crude palm oil mills in Kunak

PUSAT SEJADI HUTAN SIMPAN

MADAI BATURONG KUNAK

Pengkalan Kunak
Pengkalan Kunak is the jetty area 2 km from the new Kunak town. A single road lined by wooden shop houses leading to jetty and wet market.

Kunak Jetty
Fishing boats moor here. At this jetty also the wet fish market and meat market.
More about Kunak Waterfront

PASAR IKAN, KUNAK
Situated at the jetty in Pengkalan Kunak

In 2002, a 76-bed government hospital was built in the town.
At the same year, a new highway linking Kunak to the town of Semporna was also open. Those driving from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna can save 20Km distance using this short cut in Kunak.

Madai Waterfall in Kunak
90 Km from Tawau 2 Hours Drive

This 40-metre high waterfall in the Madai Baturong Forest Reserve is popular among locals and foreign tourists.

Managed by the Sabah Forestry Department and opened to the public only in 1999.

Tourists can walk in the cool mountain air on a 119-metre canopy walk 40 meters above the ground spanning across a river at the waterfall. The canopy walk is supported by three trees of the Seraya Urat Mata, Oba Suluk and Merbau species, each has two and half arm’s length circumference.

Nine rooms are rented for RM20 a night at the waterfall.

Among the facilities provided for visitors are an information centre, a canteen, a public toilet, a surau and a car park.

Visitors can hike to Bukit Tongkat Ali, 20 minutes away where Tongkat Ali trees grow in the wild and venture into a cave, 45 minutes away.

Madai Caves

Kunak

Madai Caves is another important place for birds' nests. The village at the entrance of the largest cave comes alive twice a year when the Idahan community comes to harvest the birds' nests from various parts of the caves. It is a special communal event, almost like a festival. The harvesting is a dramatic event with the men risking their lives to pries precious nests from the cave roof. Nowadays, the harvesters are hired. The Idahans have held their rights to the Madai Caves for over 20 generations.

More about edible birds' nest.

In August 2000, after offering special sacrifices and prayers, the Idahans gave permission for the teams of the world's toughest endurance race, the Eco-Challenge Sabah 2000, to enter the Caves, climb the rattan-ladders and do the flying fox from its summit, down to the jungles below.

To visit the Caves, permission must be obtained from the Idahan elders. Visitors may visit the District Office in Lahad Datu town to make prior arrangements for entrance permission on their behalf.

Kunak

Madai - Baturong Forest Reserve Nature Centre

Further Information:
Kunak Regional Forestry office
P.O.Box No 2
91207 Kunak
Tel: 60 89 851863
Fax: 60 89 851862

* Area: 3,436.5 hectares
* About 50km from Lahad Datu or about 15km from Kunak, 1.5Km from the main road. Reachable by car follow by a short walk.
* Madai is a bird cave where the popular bird nest delicacy originates, while the Baturong Cave is riddled with several caverns containing ancient coffins
* Madai Baturong Forest Reserve Nature Centre is classified as Class 1 forest reserve

Activities:

* Explore Madai cave
* Familiarize with various aspects of tree species, caves, flora and fauna endemic to the area
* Canopy walkway
* Scenic Waterfalls
* Dip in a cool crystal clear streams

Entrance Fee: RM1.00/pax

Visiting Hour: Pre-arrange with the Kunak Regional Forestry office

Getting There:

* From Kota Kinabalu - Lahad Datu by Air (MAS) - 55 minutes
* From Kota Kinabalu - Lahad Datu by Bus - 7 hours

Dreamland Hotel

Bangunan Sapang, New Township, P.O. Box 25, 91207 Kunak, Sabah.

Phone# 089-851522

Number of Rooms 10
Min. Rate 70.00

Room Facility air conditioning,220 voltage

16th April, 2010 Japanese tunnel the hidden attraction of Kunak

“One of the attractions in Kunak that even the locals is not aware is the underground tunnel built by the Japanese during WWII,” Susilo told Bernama in Kunak Town.

Susilo noted that the eight kilometer long tunnel that branches into four directions is located within the grounds of the Sime Darby plantation. The site of the tunnel is about 12 kilometer from Kunak town. The secret tunnel is believed to be used by the Japanese Army to ferry and store weapons.

10-WHEEL TRUCK CAN PASS THROUGH

The tunnel is big enough to allow a 10-wheel truck to pass through and was accidentally discovered in the 1970’s by the Ibans who were tasked to clear up the jungle. They initially discovered a section of the tunnel that had collapsed.

The tunnel that is four meters in diameter leaves many questions unanswered like where it begins and ends.......

New Sabah Times
http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/37751

Kunak is a town located in east coast of Sabah. It was formerly a sub-district administered under the Lahad Datu District Office, but achieved its status as a full district on 1st June, 1981.

Its population was estimated at 39,800 in 1991. The population is mainly Bajau and Buginese,

There is also a sizeable Chinese population, involved in the running of most shops in the town. Many are also landowners who cultivate oil palms. There are also Chinese primary and secondary schools.

A resettlement scheme for Cocos Islanders is situated a few kilometers away, near Giram Oil Palm Estate (Golden Hope Berhad).

A jetty is situated about 5 km from the town, in an area named Pengkalan Kunak. A single road lined by wooden shop houses leads to the jetty and wet market.

In 2002, a 76-bed government hospital was built in the town. At around the same time, a new highway linking Kunak to the town of Semporna was also opened.

Natural vegetation map of Madai Baturong VJR

(Vergin Jungle Reserve)

KUNAK TOWN, SABAH