The reserve features a remnant kahikatea forest, and is the largest remaining lowland bush in metropolitan Auckland.

The forest is dominated by kahikatea trees, and also consists of mature rimu, pūriri and tōtara.

[3] The Flat Bush School House was built adjacent to the forest in 1877, and actively used until 1929.

[1] In 2012, Stancombe Cottage, a farmhouse constructed in the 1870s, was moved from its original location on Stancombe Road to the reserve adjacent to the Flat Bush School House,[3] where a heritage precinct is being constructed.

[7] Murphy's Bush Reserve has several walking tracks, and a mix of forested and open grassland areas.