130 years of Melville - Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

Come and celebrate Melville’s 130th Anniversary with a walk on Melville Koppies - a pristine 50ha nature reserve in the middle of the city! We will start with a short stroll down a pathway to the open-air lecture Hut, where, in 1962, evidence of iron-age occupation was excavated by Revel Mason. As a student in the 1950’s, Revel found stone tools here.Hear about the history of the area and its early inhabitants from guides Sandy Murray and Alison Wilson, and try out the new Augmented Reality of the Iron Age Furnace (installed by the University of Johannesburg earlier this year!).From the lecture hut, we will divide into groups for a circular hike that includes a short climb up to the highest point with panoramic views from the 3 billion year-old quartzite ridges - perfect for selfies. The trail also winds through southern grasslands and a forested area. Guides will share snippets about the flora, fauna, geology, conservation and special points of interest along the way.The hike is around 1.5km long and a reasonable level of fitness is required. People who don’t want to hike can stroll around the Lecture Hut area. Please bring good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and drinking water. A R100 donation to the Friends of the Melville Koppies is included in the ticket price.