It sits above the suburb of Kennedys Bush on the northern side of the hills, just north of Ōrongomai / Cass Peak.

[5][6] Native birds are present in the reserve, including korimako,[5] riroriro, kererū,[1] and pīwakawaka.

Beginning in 1900 politician Harry Ell began a campaign to preserve access to walking tracks[11] and the remaining remnants of native bush on the Port Hills.

[12] In 1906 with a subsidy from Prime Minister Richard Seddon and some additional fundraising, he was able to purchase 50 acres (20 ha) of the bush and release it as Crown land.

[19] In 2023 a carpark and lookout was opened in the reserve on the south side of Summit Road,[20][21] opposite the Sign of the Bellbird, with a cost of NZ$370,000.

[25] Harry Ell had a vision of a road along the Port Hills, with tea rooms at regular points for visitors to rest at.

[26] In 1947 the Christchurch City Council took over the reserve and began to restore the buildings with a government grant.