Butterfly Creek - Kowhai Track

Highlights: Adorable name, native bush, views, picnic area

Length: 1.5 - 2 hours

Where: 30 min drive from Wellington CBD

What to take: Active wear, water, camera

With surely the cutest name for a walk ever, Butterfly Creek is sadly lacking in butterflies. However, it makes up for it with amazing views across the entrance to the Wellington harbour, diverse native bush, and a bubbling creek.

Getting there: Butterfly Creek is in Muritai, Eastbourne. Take the Hutt motorway out to Petone and follow the coastal road around the Wellington harbour towards Seaview/Eastbourne. Once you're in Eastbourne, find your way to Kowhai St and park in the small carpark near the top. The track is well signposted from there.

There are a few tracks around the Eastbourne hills, but the easiest way to Butterfly Creek begins at the top of Kowhai Road. From there, take the quick ascent up to the ridge line, making sure to pause and look back at the expansive views across the Eastbourne beaches and harbour. Crossing the ridge, the climate dramatically changes as you enter into the deep canopy of native bush on the other side. Beautiful nikau and ferns to fluorish along the path, which winds its way down deep into the gully. At the bottom there is an adorable bridge across a large pond into the Butterfly Creek picnic area. To return, simply follow the same track back.

More info available here.