The Port Hills

Recreation and facilities

Sign of the Kiwi and Coronation Hill

Sign of the Kiwi and Coronation Hill.

Coronation Hill Reserve (including the Sign of the Kiwi) overlooks the Cashmere Valley and Lyttelton Harbour. Many of the excellent walking tracks that crisscross the Hills begin or can be joined here.

The vegetation of Coronation Hill is native tussock grassland on the hill beyond the Sign of the Kiwi, and planted vegetation around the Kiwi itself. On the whole, the reserve has a vegetative cover fairly typical of the surrounding Port Hills.

There are a number of volcanic dykes which were formed by molten rock filling cracks radiating from the volcanic core that were caused by immense subterranean pressures millions of years ago. There is a large sill of rock which was formed by molten lava coming off one of the largest dykes and imbedding itself in the base rock. This feature has the most geological importance in the Coronation Hill Reserve. Many dykes can be seen along the Coronation Hill Track which starts and finishes at the Sign of the Kiwi.

The Sign of the Kiwi was officially opened on 9 June 1917. It continued as a tearoom and rest house until the 1940's when it was closed to the public by the Department of Lands and Survey. Control of the Sign of the Kiwi was transferred to the Christchurch City Council in 1948. In the 1950's the Council built public toilets and partially restored the building. Today the Sign of the Kiwi serves as a shop providing refreshments.

The name Coronation Hill commemorates the coronation of King George V in 1911. It was acquired by Henry George 'Harry' Ell who inspired the Government Tourist Road (Summit Road) running along the top of the Port Hills from Godley Head to Akaroa.

Facilities

• Toilets.
• Tearooms.
• Plain table.