Butterfly Creek

“Two saltwater crocodiles, eh?” a child’s voice chirped. “I bet they’re huge!” Here at Butterfly Creek, that’s exactly what you’ll find. Two massive saltwater crocodiles, Goldie and Scar, the only ones in all of New Zealand. Butterfly Creek isn’t just about butterflies. This wildlife facility near Auckland Airport opened in 2003. It started as a simple butterfly garden but has grown into something much bigger. Butterfly Creek is spread across eight acres. It boasts a wide array of exotic and native animals. The butterfly house remains a star attraction. Imagine yourself stepping inside, surrounded by fluttering Arca cattlehearts, blue moons, and the vibrant blue morpho. Postman butterflies flit past, while tiger longwings bask in the tropical warmth. Even the creek within the exhibit holds its own wonders, home to convict cichlids and giant gourami. Butterfly Creek also houses the North Island brown kiwi in a dedicated Kiwi House. Beyond the butterflies and kiwi, Butterfly Creek also holds some surprising exhibits. Remember that child’s wonder about crocodiles? Goldie and Scar arrived from Australia in 2009, relocated after raising concerns for locals and livestock in their original habitat. These two aren’t the only reptilian residents. Reptile Rooms house eastern blue-tongued skinks, green iguanas, and leopard tortoises. But Butterfly Creek’s wonders don’t stop with the living. Step into Dinosaur Kingdom, an exhibit filled with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. Imagine coming face to face with a towering Tyrannosaurus Rex or a 24-meter long Diplodocus. The park also pays homage to New Zealand’s extinct megafauna with a life-sized model of the North Island giant moa, a flightless bird hunted to extinction. For those who prefer fantasy, the Mythical Creatures exhibit offers encounters with dragons, unicorns, and even a kraken. Butterfly Creek provides a blend of education and amusement, appealing to locals and tourists alike. From the smallest butterfly to the largest crocodile, Butterfly Creek offers a unique experience, a world of wonder just a stone’s throw from Auckland Airport.