Kennedy’s Bush offers outstanding views

Press, 9 January 1988, Page 27

Kennedy’s Bush offers outstanding views

Banks Peninsula’s first scenic reserve is still its most beautiful, believes JOHN JAMIESON of the Summit Road Society.

Stll the most beautiful of all the Port Hills Scenic Reserves, Kennedy’s Bush was first protected legally in 1906. After six years of persistent canvassing, the late Harry Ell was successful in having the first 52 acres gazetted, and so Kennedy’s Bush became the first scenic reserve on Banks Peninsula. Over the years, extra areas have been gazetted and the reserve now covers a total of 90 hectares. The present shelter is a remnant of an early caretaker’s cottage which was first erected in 1914 and then en-

larged to become a tea room — then called a Rest House — named the Sign of the Bellbird. There followed a period of intense activity along the whole proposed route of the Port Hills to Akaroa Summit Road, with walking tracks, additional land brought into reserve and the completion of the Port Hills section of the Summit Road from Godley Head to Gebbies Pass. There are numerous walking tracks within and adjacent to Kennedy’s Bush, as the map shows. The most popular is the track down to an old quarry, which takes about an hour to complete and

gives outstanding views from two lookout points on rocky outcrops. The Fantail Track is an alternative, less strenuous route. Also recommended is Ellas Track and the Ellas Saddle Track, a circuit of Mount Ada which takes approximately 40 minutes and leads back to the Bellbird car park. Many people are unaware that the Crater Rim Walkway now extends south west from Kennedy’s Bush as far as Cooper’s Knob: a walk of lt/ 2 hours with outstanding views of the harbour and plains which passes through several stands of native bush.

It is recommended that trampers be well equipped with a showerproof jacket, stout footwear, and their own refreshments. Remember to leave no litter, but carry empty containers back to the rubbish bins provided. The Summit Road Society is responsible for several areas of new plantings of indigenous trees and shrubs in the area, overseen by the Department of Conservation and Christchurch City Council Reserves staff. Pamphlets on all the Crater Rim walkways are available from the Department of Conservation.