Silverstream Reserve
A beautiful place to visit
If you’re looking for a real slice of Canterbury nature, visit Silverstream Reserve. It’s a stunning nature reserve near Clarkville (7km south-west of Kaiapoi). The reserve centres around Silverstream, a crystal-clear stream known for fishing and significant to local Maori for mahinga kai. It’s a great place to go for a walk, enjoy a picnic, or simply sit back and relax to the sights and sounds of Canterbury’s flora and fauna.
The reserve is made up of two pieces of land, which are about 700m apart. Both have the lovely Silverstream running through them, where you might be lucky enough to see fish or eels in the clear water.
The east end (155 South Eyre Road) has lots of recent plantings, with open grassed areas between, so there’s plenty of space for kids to run around. It also has a parking area, toilet, seats, picnic tables and is a great place for a family outing.
The west end (431 Heywards Road) has older plantings and a more natural feel. It’s a nice place to walk in the cool shade, on a hot day. There’s roadside parking, boardwalks through the wet areas and a bridge over Silverstream.
The walking tracks are accessible for most people, including all-terrain prams, for most of the year. Dogs are welcome, on a leash.
A bit of history - As the Canterbury Plains were developed, most of the land was cleared and grazed. In 2006, there was a proposal to use the reserve as plantation forest, but local residents strongly opposed this. Instead, it started to be managed as a public reserve.
Since then, the reserve has been developed by volunteers supported by Waimakariri District Council, community groups, local schools, businesses and even the occasional wedding party!
An astonishing 42,000 natives have been planted. They help support what remains of the original flora and fauna, including a wetland plant thought to have been lost from the Canterbury Plains and a rare native butterfly.
As New Zealand works towards becoming predator free, so is Silverstream Reserve. Trapping has seen a considerable increase in birdlife. You might spot bellbirds, kingfishers, kereru, tui, and more.
A helping hand - If you’d like to join the Silverstream Volunteers, new faces are always welcome. There’s work at the reserve every Tuesday and Sunday, from 10.00am to 12.30pm (weather dependent). Some people go every week, and others simply turn up when they can. It’s not all work - we’re big fans of morning tea, and always stop for a cuppa and a chat. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Although there’s still much to do, we’re delighted with the progress to date and the obvious enjoyment of visitors to the reserve. It’s a very special place.
For more information about the reserve, see:
www.silverstream.nz and https://www.facebook.com/SilverstreamReserve/
For information about volunteering,
email: silverstream.volunteers@gmail.com
