A nature reserve and heritage site, the Melville Koppies (koppie means small hill in Afrikaans) boast both important archaeological remains of Stone Age and Iron Age settlements, and great views over the city. The nature reserve is divided into three sections, with the central section that houses the archaeological sites usually closed to the public. 

The Friends of Melville Koppies are a volunteer organisation who raise funds for maintenance in the reserve and generally work to keep the reserve a sanctuary for local wildlife. In addition to leading regular guided hikes through the koppies, Friends of the Melville Koppies also now organise an 'open Sundays' event with the central section of the reserve opened for a morning for the public to roam around and explore.

This is the wildest section of the reserve with various interesting fauna, forested areas and a stream running through it. The geology of the koppies goes back three billion years and the area represents the last conserved remnant of Johannesburg's ridges as they were before gold was discovered in 1886. The vegetation here is entirely indigenous and provides an excellent example, close to the city centre, of the richness of highveld grasses, flowers, and trees.

The organisation charges an entrance fee for the open morning so that they can hire security guards to keep watch over what has been a notoriously dangerous area and so that they can raise money for their work on upgrading the reserve.

The open sessions happen on Sundays from 08:00-11:30. Entrance costs R80, kids R40. Parking is available at the Marks Park Sports Fields in Judith Road, Emmarentia opposite the entrance.