Facility fees don't come close to paying the true cost of the canoe journey on the Whanganui River but the Conservation Department doesn't have other charging options, acting director of recreation, tourism and heritage Gavin Walker says.
It would take a change of law to open up other options for the department.
For the last financial year it cost $564,212 to keep the Whanganui Journey open for use. It's one of New Zealand's eight Great Walks.
That figure is the cost of maintaining huts, toilets and campsites. It doesn't include the cost of the facility booking system, or website and printed information.
During the last financial year the Whanganui Journey only made $268,789 - less than half the total cost. When there are hut wardens in place most people do pay to use the facilities.