The Council purchased 500 hectares of the former Mt Desmond Station to form Misty Peaks Reserve, a scenic reserve that rises to nearly 800 metres above sea level above Akaroa. Adjoining the privately owned Hinewai Reserve and surrounding the Department of Conservation administered Armstrong Reserve, Misty Peaks Reserve has high recreation and conservation value. It is close to Akaroa, and easily reached from three main road access points. A wide range of habitats in the park includes lowland podocarp forest and beech forest remnants, sub-alpine snow tussock and unique rocky outcrop flora—home to a range of native birds, lizards and fish, and a number of rare or threatened plants.Read the Friends of Banks Peninsula Misty Peaks Reserve Submission.