South Australians will have longer to travel, more options to choose from and double the chance of securing a River Revival Voucher when the next round of the program opens next month.

The new $750 category of vouchers – for use on a houseboat holiday or hosted tour experience – provides holidaymakers with an additional incentive to travel and support the state’s river regions.

Tourism operators in the Riverland and Murray River, Lakes and Coorong regions were hit hard by floods last summer, with the State Government committing a $4.6 million support package – including the River Revival Voucher program and a dedicated marketing campaign for the Murray River regions.

The roll-out of the next round – including extending the travel time until later this year – is based on feedback from tourism operators along the river, industry stakeholders, two regional workshops held in May, and from a consumer survey of those people who did not redeem their vouchers in round one.

The survey found that 49 per cent of people with accommodation vouchers did not book because their preferred dates were not available. 

The South Australian Tourism Commission has announced that the next round of the vouchers will have an extended travel period, be open to South Australians and cross border communities, and the $50 experience voucher will be increased to $100.

It will see for the first time the entry of houseboat operators – a sector of the market that has only recently returned to full scale operations.

There will also be a ‘second chance’ draw, meaning those vouchers that are not redeemed within the first booking period will be cancelled and re-issued, giving consumers who registered during the registration period another chance to secure a voucher.

Details for the next round include:

Voucher types:

• $100 Experience vouchers (up from $50)
• $100 Accommodation vouchers for a minimum one-night stay
• $200 Accommodation vouchers for a minimum two-night stay
• $750 Houseboats / guided tour vouchers (minimum $1500 spend inclusive of the $750 voucher)

Key dates:

• Operator Expressions of Interest to participate: 1–6 June
• Ballot registration: 19 to 21 June
• Ballot draw and successful recipients notified: 22 June
• Booking dates for first chance draw: 22 June – 25 July
• Travel Period: 23 June – 30 November
• Second chance draw: 27 July
• Booking dates for second chance draw: 27 July – 22 August
• Travel period: 28 July – 30 November 2023.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison says so far $1.8 million has been injected into these regional economies. 

“This next stage of the campaign is all about celebrating the river and how magic it is during the winter months. 

“The river regions have so many amazing offerings, from experiences to accommodation – both on and off the water – and the operators are ready and waiting to show you a good time.

“The Murray River is an incredible natural wonder right on our doorstep and a truly iconic Australian holiday experience, and I’m calling on South Australians to go and enjoy a river break.”

Joel Hirsch, Manager of Spirit Australia Cruises, says round one of the experience vouchers saw over 100 vouchers redeemed, representing well over 200 passengers, which was a much-needed boost to the autumn season.

“The new $100 experience vouchers will be a valuable support to our day cruise operations where visitors can see where all the floodwaters ended up, flowing out to sea through the Murray Mouth and through the lower lakes & Coorong National Park.

“We’re also planning on growing our range for the $750 voucher, adding a Goolwa – Renmark: 4-Day River Journey’ into this second round – it offers customers the rare opportunity to see the Murray along most of its South Australian reaches, staying and dining in riverside towns along the way.

“It will give people a great opportunity to see the boon the floodwaters have provided to the river ecosystem and support the recovering river communities along the journey – staying in local hotels, eating at iconic places and cruising along the mighty Murray.”

For full Terms and Conditions and to enter the ballot for a River Revival Voucher when it opens on 19 June, visit the website.