A NEW attraction is about to set Gold Coast hearts fluttering while also helping to save a threatened species.
The Gold Coast Butterfly House has opened at Nerang for the school holidays with owner Josephine Romeo saying it aimed to let children see nature up close.
“Our children seldom have the opportunity to observe the miracles of nature up close,” she said.
“The experience of watching a tiny egg transform into a caterpillar, change to a chrysalis and hatch into a magnificent butterfly is exciting, and children are fascinated by this.”
The butterfly house hopes to help save the critically-endangered richmond birdwing, the largest butterfly in Australia with a wingspan of up to 16cm, by encouraging visitors to plant special vines it feeds on as a caterpillar.
“We’re encouraging people to plant their host plant to create their own butterfly gardens to help restore the dwindling species,” said Ms Romeo.
“These butterflies are released after a few days when new ones hatch, so we are constantly releasing and rearing more to increase our butterfly population,” Ms Romeo said.
Visitors to the Castle Hill Drive attraction would learn about the insects’ life cycles, feed them with nectar and take part in a range of themed craft activities.
The house is open each day of the school holidays, from 10am-2pm.
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