The second River Revival Voucher Round is open for registration until 10pm tomorrow, Wednesday 21 June.

Relaxing houseboat holidays, stargazing under an international Dark Sky Reserve, multi-day guided tours, hosted tastings of premium beverages, and kayaking among wetland wildlife are just some of the almost 350 tourism offerings available.

Registration for the ballot can win vouchers for $750 off houseboats or guided tours, up to $200 off accommodation and $100 off hosted experiences across the Riverland and Murray River, Lakes & Coorong regions.

More than 120 businesses have signed up to be part of this voucher round, with the inclusion of houseboat operators – a sector of the market that has only recently returned to full scale operations.

Providing extra incentive to travel, the next round offers a new $750 voucher, longer to travel, more options to choose from, and a second chance draw.

The second chance draw will allow vouchers that are not redeemed in the first booking period to be cancelled and re-issued, giving those who registered another chance to secure a voucher and drive further bookings and expenditure to the flood affected regions.

The longer booking period will allow consumers to book until 30 November, increasing the number of dates available to give more people the chance to holiday on the river during the spectacular winter and spring seasons.

Round one of the vouchers injected over $1.8 million in voucher bookings alone into the Murray River regions, with 4,369 bookings at accommodation and experience providers.

The ballot is open to South Australians over the age of 18, as well as cross border communities in New South Wales and Victoria.

The first ballot will be drawn on Thursday 22 June; successful entrants will be notified via text message and email.

The first booking period is from Thursday 22 June to Tuesday 25 July for a travel period Friday 23 June to 30 Thursday November.

A second chance ballot draw will be on Thursday 27 July, with a second booking period Thursday 27 July to Tuesday 22 August for a second chance travel period of Friday 28 July to Thursday 30 November.

Prior to the flooding event, tourism in the Riverland and Murray River, Lakes & Coorong regions was worth a combined $436 million and directly employed 2,800 people across the two regions.

The River Revival Voucher program is part of the State Government’s $4.6 million Murray River tourism recovery plan, which aims to stimulate visitation and expenditure in the communities hit hard by the once-in-a-century Murray River flood.

More than $190 million in Federal and State funding has been provided to support community recovery.

For full Terms and Conditions and to enter the ballot for a River Revival Voucher, visit the website.

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison says now is the time to get behind flood affected Murray River operators by entering the River Revival Voucher ballot. 

“We know this initiative works, as the first round already delivered $1.8 million in voucher bookings alone to our Murray River regions.

“It is a great step forward as we welcome houseboats and guided tours to be part of the program, as they are now back to full scale operations and ready to welcome visitors to their businesses following the once-in-century flooding event.

George Bolton, Manager Business Support, Boating Industry Association SA, says after around six months of having had no income from the flood, houseboat operators are ready right now to welcome guests back onto the river.

“SA is houseboat-central with fabulous cruising calm waters from Wellington to the border, with various departure locations in right along the river.

“Winter and spring on the river is a unique experience, and the River Revival Houseboat Vouchers are a great incentive and a brilliant way everyone can support an industry hard hit.”