A tourism company has raised almost $30,000 to help schoolchildren continue to learn about their natural heritage at a sought-after school camp. 

RealNZ, the recently rebranded parent company of Real Journeys, raised the money for the Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust through this year's Cruise-for-a-Cause in the Doubtful Sound.  

The trust needs to complete urgent maintenance work to continue to offer its popular school camp at its Deep Cove Hostel in the heart of Fiordland. 

Each year, more than 2,500 Year 8-9 students from schools throughout Southland and Otago travel by boat across Lake Manapouri and then by coach (across the Wilmot Pass) to stay at the hostel.   

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It is one of the most remote locations in New Zealand, somewhere pupils can learn about nature and team work without the distraction of phones or the internet. 

But Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust Chairman Mike MacManus says with more and more schools wanting students to take part, the 40-year-old hostel was desperately in need of attention.

"Having just completed remedial works on the lounge wing of the hostel, we discovered the entire building needed to be secured for future generations to enjoy," MacManus says.

RealNZ Chief Conservation Officer Paul Norris says the company works closely with the trust in Deep Cove and was pleased the Cruise-for-a-Cause could help.  

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"Our nature guides assist with the education programme, and our coach drivers and maritime crew see first-hand how much impact these wilderness camps have on the students when they travel back to Manapouri with us," Norris. 

Generations of Southlanders have lasting memories of their Deep Cove school camps, and there was no shortage of supporters keen to take part in the Doubtful Sound Cruise-for-a-Cause, held on the last weekend of September, with 100% of the ticket price going directly to the trust.  

The alert level (2) restricted numbers to just 40, but a silent auction on board saw an additional $4191 raised.  

Cruise-for-a-Cause has raised almost $300,000 for conservation and community causes since it began in 2015.