Butterfly Lookout – an informal Narrow Neck vantage point

Summary: Butterfly Lookout is an informal and unfenced lookout just off the main Narrow Neck Plateau trail, with great views over the Jamison Valley.

How to get there: Locked gate along Narrow Neck Plateau Trail
Walking distance to Lookout: 3.2km (return)
Duration: <1 hour
Grade: Easy
Lookout Rating: 4/5
Height of Lookout: 1030m
Topographic map/s: 8930-1S KATOOMBA (1:25K). Buy / Download
Bushwalking trail: Ledges of Narrow Neck

There are many spots along Narrow Neck offering views over either the Megalong Valley to the west or the Jamison valley to the east – but this one has a name. I have no idea how Butterfly Lookout got its name: it was referred to as this on another blog site (Two Breakfasts), who confirmed that they didn’t make it up. Perhaps there was signage here a decade ago. In any case, it seems as good a name as any!

The lookout is less than 50m off the firetrail and offers a great view of Mount Solitary, with Cedar Creek and Cedar Valley on the right.

1X3A9403 Butterfly Lookout - an informal Narrow Neck vantage point

There’s a nice view of Castle Head, with Ruined Castle below it. In the distance is Lake Burragorang.

1X3A9404 Butterfly Lookout - an informal Narrow Neck vantage point

1X3A9407 Butterfly Lookout - an informal Narrow Neck vantage point

Getting to Butterfly Lookout

This is a fairly easy Blue Mountains lookout to reach – and worth the very short detour if you’re walking out along Narrow Neck. Look for a faint trail on both sides of the track 1.6km from the locked gate – to the north is a track to the Redledge Pass, and to the south the lookout.