Editing Heaphy Track (section)

=== James Mackay Hut to Heaphy Hut ===
The track descends through forest along a spur between Deception Creek to the south and the Lewis River to the north. The type of vegetation changes markedly as the track descends towards the Heaphy River. Stunted manuka and beech trees seen at the top become taller, and the sub-canopy and ground vegetation becomes more dense. At the bottom of the descent, there is typical West Coast rainforest, and the first [[Rhopalostylis sapida|nīkau palms]] can be seen.<ref name="Petyt" />{{rp||page=187}} There is a shelter near the junction of the Lewis and Heaphy Rivers.

The route then crosses the Heaphy River and the track then follows a large bend in the river under limestone bluffs. The track follows the true left of the Heaphy River and crosses the Gunner River near its junction with the Heaphy. The vegetation along this part of the route is lowland podcarp forest, with an increasing number of nīkau palms closer to Heaphy Hut, where they dominate the forest. The Heaphy Hut and campsite is around {{cvt|500|m}} back from the beach, overlooking the Heaphy River mouth, with a view of surf and the Tasman Sea.<ref name="Barnett" />{{rp||page=24}}