Of all the insects in the world there is one that rather than earning the ire of the masses, instead harbours within us a distinct reverence. The beautiful and noble butterfly is the supermodel of the insect world. Where the mosquito and the blowfly are squashed or swatted away with reckless abandon, the butterfly glides proudly into your life, flutters its wings and we all fawn over its beauty. If visiting the wonderful Coffs Coast region of New South Wales, there is one place to utterly lose yourself in the majesty of this remarkable creature and that is the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House.
Nestled in the foothills near Bonville, a short drive south of Coffs Harbour itself; the Butterfly House is an amazing indoor rainforest garden which is home to hundreds of majestic Australian butterflies which are hatched on site. The Butterfly house is home to around 400 live butterflies of 17 different species all year round. You may be in awe of the size of the Cairns Birdwing and amazed by the vibrant coloured Ulysses as they flutter, mate and sip nectar as you stroll through the gardens. If you’re lucky one may even land on you!
There is something for every member of the family at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House. While children and adults young and old will love finding and identifying the many butterflies in the gardens the whole family can relax afterwards in the tearooms and enjoy milkshakes and light refreshments. Dad may be interested in the woodturning workshop where local artisans display and create their works made from Australian native timbers while Mum browses the vast selection of butterfly themed gifts at the souvenir shop. Older children may enjoy the outdoor maze which will keep them entertained and excited as they test their butterfly knowledge and hunt for the hidden answers while younger children may like to do some puzzles, colouring or have their picture taken in the butterfly face-in-the-hole.
Spending a day amongst the butterflies is a wonderful way to unwind and release some of the tension built up over the course of a life well lived. There is nothing comparable to having a giant and majestic butterfly land on you and call you its brief home. Insects are a much maligned class of species and one that often gets punished for its prolificness and propensity to be in places that are inopportune to humans but spending a day in the Butterfly Houses will make you realise just how important, beautiful and misunderstood not just butterflies but the whole class of insects are.
Be prepared to go home with a newfound love and appreciation for the butterfly and their amazing lifecycle. The Butterfly House is a truly unique experience set amongst the breathtaking natural beauty of the Coffs Coast. It’s a definite stopover for anyone holidaying in the region along with the Big Banana, Raleigh Raceway, the Dorrigo skywalk and the Coffs Jetty. The Butterfly House is open all year round and is easy to find right off the highway just south of Coffs. Follow the signs.
Would you like to spend a day with the butterflies, or just check out Coffs Harbour in it’s entirety? You should take the time to read Skedaddle’s “Coffs Harbour with a car” guide to see you get the most of the experience.