Register now for the second River Revival Voucher Round

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 in the next River Revival Voucher round.
 
Consumers can now enter the ballot to register 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 the next 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.
 
Key dates for River Revival Voucher round two:

• Ballot opens at 9am Monday 19 June until 10pm Wednesday 21 June
• First ballot drawn on Thursday 22 June (successful entrants notified via text message and email)
• First booking period: Thursday 22 June – Tuesday 25 July 2023
• Travel period: Friday 23 June - 30 Thursday November 2023
• Second chance ballot drawn on Thursday 27 July 2023
• Second booking period: Thursday 27 July – Tuesday 22 August 2023
• Second chance travel period: Friday 28 July – Thursday 30 November 2023.

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 southaustralia.com/voucher.
 
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said now is the time to get behind the state's flood affected Murray River operators by entering in our next 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," Minister Bettison said.
 
"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."
 
Riverfun Houseboat owner and operator, Kim Seymour said is is super exciting for the release of the houseboat vouchers in round two.

"Not only will this initiative be pivotal in the survival of our family-run business after the hardest business disruption we have faced, but the river is abundant with life and has never been so healthy!" Ms Seymour said.
 
"These $750 houseboats vouchers hold incredible value for families that may also be facing the current financial stresses, enabling them to spend time together out of the hustle ‘n’ bustle of reality and slip into something we like to call RiverTime!
 
"The Murray is currently in all her glory- anew with life in-water as well as birdlife we haven’t seen in years. There’s no mozzies or bugs, the floodplains are thriving, and the Murray Cod are the biggest we’ve seen! 

"It has been the toughest road we’ve travelled without having our peak season in summer, but our boats are fuelled and ready to go; we can’t wait for you and your chosen crew to see what the magical Murray is all about this winter and spring."
 
Manager Business Support, Boating Industry Association SA, George Bolton said 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, to experience the fun of houseboat holidays on the magnificent Murray.
 
"SA is houseboat-central with fabulous cruising calm waters from Wellington to the border, with various departure locations in right along the river," Mr Bolton said.
 
"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." 

For full Terms and Conditions and to enter the ballot for a River Revival Voucher, visit southaustralia.com/voucher.