The Port Hills

Recreation and facilities

Coopers Knob Reserve

Coopers Knob and Omahu Bush.

Coopers Knob (573m) is the highest point of the Port Hills and is undoubtedly the most spectacular of the Summit Road reserves. When viewed from the road to the south, the prominent summit rock stands out as a spire with vertical to overhanging slopes.

The reserve is easily accessible and some roadside parking is available. Magnificent views of the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps can be gained from the summit. In good weather conditions Mt Cook can be seen to the west. To the east the view ranges over Lyttelton Harbour across Banks Peninsular to Mt. Herbert.

The entire reserve runs along the top edge of the extinct Lyttelton volcano. Coopers Knob is part of a volcanic 'dyke', which was embedded in the earth when the volcano was much higher. It stands as a monument to its own resistance to the forces of nature.

Access

Summit Road. Crater Rim Track traverses Coopers Knob Reserve.

Plant life

The vegetation features excellent rock flora on the steep cliffs plus a large patch of fine native forest, including podocarps on the western side and the last remaining snow tussocks on the Port Hills still clinging to the rocky tops. The podacarp forest and fuchsia gully on the western side is surrounded by regenerating forest, especially the berried karamu.