Styx Mill Conservation Reserve — Attraction in Christchurch

A peaceful walk in nature near the water on the edge of Christchurch City. There are a couple of car parks off Styx Mill Road which had space when I visited on a weekday afternoon. The paths are raised, flat mainly with small gravel but which are accessible. Not many muddy patches in autumn. There are picnic tables and benches along the paths and toilets nearby in the dog park. There are signposts which tell you which trail you are on but the signage could be improved with maps at junctions, lose one star for this. Contemplation point sounds interesting but we didn't take that path. Good place to watch native birds, there were plenty of fantails and pukekos. A pleasant place to come for a walk...

A real hidden gem in the city ! Beautiful nature reserve with stunning walking trails and amazing views around the lake and Styx river. Nice variety of flora and fauna, perfect for bird watching or just casual walk to enjoy wildlife, birds, butterflies in beautiful surroundings. The best thing is that it’s relatively quiet and. It crowded, so one can enjoy a walk in nature with many people and get some peace of mind. There are many quiet spots and benches to rest and enjoy the view. Dogs are only allowed in designated area which is how all the reserves should be and bikes are not permitted. On the entrance there is a small car park for...

So lucky to have this on our boundary to stroll or run through or walk your dog. Take your pick of the areas of track suited to your ability or amount of time you have available. Meander past the beautifully clean Styx River where you may see a trout or eel or two but definitely Pukeko, several varieties of duck, and swans on the lake. Rabbits are often spotted as well. A toilet block is conveniently placed near the Hussey Road entrance and there are wooden bench seats or picnic tables at various spots throughout the reserve. Well...