Port Hills, Christchurch

On the Port Hills on Banks Peninsula, the Gibraltar Covenant protected by the Gama Foundation provides a link for public access between the Foundation’s Omahu Bush and Gibraltar Rock covenants, four Summit Road Society covenants and council reserves.

The unobstructed views of Gibraltar Rock and over the Canterbury Plains from the public walkway are superb.

The covenants protect historical as well as visual landscape values, including the stone shed associated with the historic Heaton Rhodes Estate freshwater spring.

Omahu Bush has a diverse range of native trees including matai, totara, kowhai, tree fuchsia, lancewoods and ribbonwoods. Dense groves of kanuka cover the lower areas.

Close to Christchurch, the combination of geological features, rich birdlife and native vegetation provides a valuable natural resource for the public.

Location: Drive up Dyers Pass Road to the Sign of the Kiwi, turn south along Summit Road for about 8.5km until you reach the small roadside carpark at Omahu Bush.