Butterfly Creek Walking Track — Attraction in North Island

Don't expect to see butterflies here. The name of Butterfly Creek is said to have emerged by around the 1930s. Although the origin of the name is not certain, one theory is that it came from a strange patch of lighter coloured vegetation in Gollans Valley which could be seen from the top of the Matipo Street track that was exactly in the shape of a butterfly. Although this shape was discernible through to 1951, it gradually lessened due either to bush fires or bush clearance.

There is however truely beautiful bush, beech trees, nikau, Rata, lots of different types of orchids if you know where to look. We are lucky to have such great bush on...

There are a few different ways to go but we started on Kowhai St. Park your car here then walk up the steep street and you'll find the stairs at the beginning of the track.

Follow these for about 15mins and you'll reach a fork in the road. Go left then follow this all the way down through the bush then go back up to spectacular views of Wellington and Somes Island.

Head down left from there to Muritai Park and once you reach the road follow back along yo Kowahi St. Maps it from there if you need to.

This walk has an elevation gain of 310 metres and took us about 1h10m at a fast pace. More like 1h30m at a more...

Maybe it was just me but I found it to be terribly sign posted and actually drove past it and started walking around the coast before realizing something wasn't right. We enjoyed the walk (only did the short one which was still 1 hr) but I wouldn't recommend it for young kids and definately not toddlers. Some of the terrain is quite steep and the kids weren't enjoying it too much. Didnt help that we climbed it in the searing heat lol. Never actually made it to the creek or the picnic area cos the kids were all shattered and it was gonna add an...