Walking distance from the town center spread over 90 acres, over a hundred year old (built in 1891), the 18 holes golf course is one of Nuwara Eliya’s biggest attractions. It is reputed to be the only Golf Course where all the holes are visible from the Club House or accessible by car. In the old British cemetery at the rear of the Club House is the memorial to Major Rogers, the elephant hunter credited with killing around 1500 elephants.
Lake Gregory is one of the significant tourist attractions in Nuwara Eliya. It was built by the Governor William Gregory during 1872 – 1877 periods by utilizing the water from the Nanuoya which runs across the town. The lake is about 91.2 hectares in extent. It was said to be used for water sports and for re-recreational activities during the British rule.
Today leisure travellers can experience pedal boat riding, motor boat safari, Jet-ski, Horse riding, tours on floating restaurants and many more.
The Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya said to be named to comorate the 60th Jubilee Coronation of Queen Victoria in the year 1897. Originally the park was used as the research field of Haggala Botanical Garden which is located about 04 km away from the city centre. It is known that this park was established by planting an Oak tree by a German Princes who visited Nuwara Eliya at the latter part of the 19th Century.
The special children’s park is loved by all children who come for holiday in Nuwaraeliya.
Hakgalla Garden is located along Nuwara Eliya ~ Badulla road (along Kandy~Ramboda). Situated 5581ft higher from the sea level, the garden, according to the legends, said to be used by the King “Rawana” as an herbal garden. This place was started as a Botanical garden by British botanist Dr. G.H.K. Thwaites who was the director of “Peradiniya Botanical Garden “in the year of 1859. Initially they grew “ sinkona” which was used to produce “ quiveenen” for malaria.
With over more than 60000 species of plants, the garden, during the summer season, is one of the most scenic places of Nuwara Eliya. Due to the cooler climate of Nuwra Eliya, many differnt kinds of plants from differnt parts of the world can be seen. For example conifers and cedars from Australia, Bermuda cypresses from the Himalayas English oak are some of the highlights.
A beautiful land area covering an extent of 57.6 hectares of land in Nuwara Eliya had been gazetted as a bird sanctuary in the year 1938. This bird sanctuary attracts about 20 species of very rare foreign birds and about 30 species of Sri Lankan birds. Most of the endemic bird species as well as migrant bird species could be seen at this sanctuary. In addition to the birds this park is the home for many valuable tree species of both foreign and local.
Mountain – Piduruthalagala is the highest point in Sri Lanka, overlooking the town to the north. Now you can drive up to the top of the mountain and see the breathtaking view from the highest point of Sri Lanka.
Exclusively for adventurous travellers, there is a trekking path where they have to follow the river up via seven more waterfalls – a neat hike for adventurous folk! This journey goes as far as the 7000 foot marker.
Ambewela is one of picturesque places in Sri Lanka situated at Nuwaraeliya district. Ambewela has the highest and widest grass pastures of Sri Lanka. One and only Sri Lankan milk powder factory- Milko and Highland full cream milk powder factory is situated at Ambewela.
And the New Zealand farm is also share this beautiful land with its cows, bulls, rabbits, pigs, hens, cocks and gouts and many other farm animals. Cheese, Butter and many milk products are manufactured for both local and foreign market. The widest grazing grounds at Ambewela farm resembles the green carpets covering the misty mountain ranges. This mountain range is also an important place for hikers, trekkers and adventure lovers.
Kande Ela Forest Garden is located near Meepilimana reservoir on Nuwara Eliya – Horton plain road. Kande Ela Forest Garden is adjoined to Hakgala Strict forest Reservation and one side bordered by Meepilimana Reservoir. Forest Department maintain the Kande Ela Forest Garden for educational purposes. There is a nature trail through the forest with a number of examples for soil conservation methods, Types of plants, Environment pollution, Traditional culture. The 4-5 Km long trail through the forest takes about one hour to complete by walk. Kande Ela Forest Garden is also very close to Strawberry farm managed by Ramya Horticulture. You can obtain a leaflet with a map of trail at the ticket counter. There is an access road to Elgin Falls through Kande Ela Forest Garden
Located about 20 miles away from Nuwara Eliya-World’s end is Hortain plains’ beautiful mountainous nature park situated in 2200 m above sea level.
You may feel it like, as it is a downside view from an airplane. But it is better to keep remind that not to look down into the abyss, Sudden wind gusts will push you into the abyss. More on the route to the world’s end is a fascinating experience through the Horton Plains.
Most appropriate time to visit the World’s end is early in the morning (around 6.00 a.m). It seems like the mountain ranges are carrying a thick haze. The boulders will appear like dots beyond the overviewed outlook from the destination.
Nuwara Eliya’s terrain being so wide-ranging offers many opportunities for mountain biking and cycling and can guarantee that it will not be just another paddling experience.
The cycling route from Spring Acre along the road up to the town and beyond will take you through a landscape of breathtaking natural beauty. Cycling around this “Little England”, you will feel as if you are cycling through an English countryside.
For off-road cycling there are no designated biking paths. Hence, the tea estate opposite Spring Acre can combine a cycling stint into every holiday. The rides through the manicured tea garden will remain with you long after you have left this beautiful land.
The location offers a reasonable challenge for cycling, unless you are specifically looking for tough trails. If you are daring enough for a tougher challenge you can go beyond the village to the base of the Pedro Mountain Range and the jungle.
The central plain located in Nuwara Eliya is called the Moon Plains, locally referred to as ‘Sandathenna’.
Nestled 6,200 feet above mean sea level, Moon Plains offers visitors a spectacular 360 degree unique picturesque view of surrounding mountain ranges such as Pidurutalaga (8,281 feet), Single Tree Mountain (6,890 feet) Kikiliyamana Mountain etc.
This vast green land completess with a surrounding forest reserve, tea estates, gardens and vegetable farmlands. The towering mountain range that is just visible complements the winsome ambience. This is an ideal location for relaxation and a refreshing stay.
The temple is located about 50 km (30 miles) in the hill country south of Kandy in the village called “Seetha Eliya.”The area is related to the Ramayana story in the ancient history. According to the folklore the mighty king Ravana kidnapped princess Seeta who was the queen of Rama and hid her in the place where the temple now located.
Now there is a temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hanuman’s are found by this river and some are of small size and some are of large size, which tells us of the immense powers of hanuman transforming himself into any size.
