Gurney Drive · Penang
Gurney Drive, and the park that was sea five years ago
Tanjung Tokong sits between George Town and the north-coast beaches, which makes it the one part of the island where you do not have to choose. Gurney Drive is a few minutes one way; Batu Ferringhi is a short drive the other.
Gurney Bay is new, and it is the best free afternoon on the island
The first 27 acres opened on 4 February 2024, on reclaimed land.
The full park runs to 101 acres and is being built in stages: Phase 2 finished through 2026, Phase 3 due in 2027. What is open already has water gardens, a skating rink, a large children's playground, and proper walking and running paths along the seafront.
Take the children late in the afternoon when the heat has gone out of the day, and walk down to the hawker centre afterwards. That is the order that works.
The hawker food is still the reason people come
Gurney Drive's hawker centre is the one every visitor is sent to, and rightly.
Char kway teow, rojak, laksa, ice kacang. Go hungry and go with cash.
If you would rather be indoors, Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon are both on the same stretch, and Island Plaza and Straits Quay are a few minutes further along.
Why people book this one
It is the base for a trip where you want to see all of Penang.
George Town and the UNESCO heritage core are a short drive south. Batu Ferringhi beach, Entopia and Escape Penang are a short drive north. Komtar and the Esplanade are close.
Three bedrooms sleeping up to eleven, a kitchen, and somewhere to leave the car between all of that.
Questions I get asked
What is Gurney Bay in Penang?
It is the new seafront park on reclaimed land at Gurney Drive. The first 27 acres opened on 4 February 2024 and the whole thing will run to 101 acres, with water gardens, a skating rink, a playground and seafront walking paths.
Is Gurney Drive a good place to stay in Penang?
It is the best base if you want to see all of the island rather than one part of it. George Town is a short drive south, Batu Ferringhi a short drive north, and the hawker food and the malls are on your doorstep.
Where can a large family stay near Gurney Drive?
Comfy Home at Tanjung Tokong is a few minutes away. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and it sleeps up to eleven.
How far is Gurney Drive from Batu Ferringhi and George Town?
Both are short drives — George Town to the south, Batu Ferringhi along the coast to the north. That midpoint is the whole reason to stay here.
Where these facts came from
- Gurney Bay — 101 acres total, Phase 1 of 27 acres opened 4 February 2024, Phase 2 completing through 2026 and Phase 3 due 2027, read 21 August 2026.
Opening hours, fares and event dates change. Everything above was read on 21 August 2026 and I re-check it when I update this page — if something has moved by the time you travel, message me and I will tell you what it is now.
Coming to Gurney Drive?
Tell me your dates and how many of you there are.
Messages come straight to my phone. I answer them myself, usually within the hour.