Rise Up and register now for Murray River travel vouchers

Dinner under the stars of an international Dark Sky Reserve, canoeing adventures among the wetlands, luxury stays with a river view, caravan parks and floating home getaways are just some of the more than 200 tourism offerings available in the first round of the River Revival Voucher program.

The ballot is now open for consumers to register for up to $200 off accommodation and $50 off hosted experiences across the Riverland and Murray River, Lakes & Coorong 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.

A total of 95 operators have signed up to be part of the first voucher round, with more than 25,000 vouchers up for grabs throughout 2023.

Round one offers vouchers of $50 for use on experiences, $100 for a minimum one-night stay accommodation, and $200 for a minimum two-night stay accommodation. Consumers can register for their chance to score up to two voucher values.

The ballot is open to South Australians over the age of 18, as well as Victorians in an effort to entice residents in cross-border communities such as Mildura, Horsham and the Grampians.

Key dates for River Revival Voucher round one:

• Ballot opens at 9am Monday 27 March until 10pm Wednesday 29 March
• Ballot drawn on Thursday 30 March (successful entrants notified via text message and email)
• Booking period: Thursday 30 March – Friday 28 April
• Travel period: Friday 31 March – Thursday 29 June 2023 inclusive.

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.

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

Premier Peter Malinauskas said opening the ballot for the first round of the River Revival Voucher program today signifies a tremendous milestone in the state’s Murray River recovery journey.

"Tourism in the Riverland and Murray River, Lakes & Coorong regions is worth a combined $436 million to our economy, which is why we are working tirelessly to recover visitation to this special part of our state," Premier Malinauskas said.

"The wider economic impact these vouchers will have on surrounding businesses will be critical in the recovery of our river communities, as many have been closed since late 2022 due to the once-in-a-century flooding event."

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said vouchers are a highly effective way to get people travelling and to boost expenditure for businesses in a time of crisis – and the River Revival Voucher program will be no different.

"More than 90 operators across our Riverland and Murray River, Lakes & Coorong regions are set to welcome thousands of lucky voucher holders over the cooler months, helping fill accommodation, tours, local cafes, pubs and shops," Minister Bettison said.

"By listening to the needs of our flood affected communities, the River Revival Voucher program will bring people and economic activity into the region when and where it is needed most – with the first of three rounds firing up travel during autumn, Easter, the April school holidays and into June."

CEO of Edwards Group – Owner of Riverbend Caravan Park, Renmark & Waikerie Holiday Park in the Riverland, Stephen Edwards said the tourism voucher program is an excellent initiative to encourage people to come back and visit our Riverland region.

"Due to the floods, our caravan parks have been shut since December last year. This closure has come at a significant cost to our business, and we are now excited that we’ve been able to re-open and are looking forward to welcoming back thousands of guests to experience all the Riverland has to offer," Mr Edwards said.

"The floods have had a major impact throughout the Riverland region from caravan parks to hotels to tour operators as well as thousands of small businesses. This voucher program is going to encourage tens of thousands of visitors to the region who will support all these business and operators to recover from these floods.

"As local operators, we know the Riverland has so much to offer at all times of the year. We are so pleased that the State Government and SATC has decided to commit to the voucher program which will provide people with more opportunities to visit our region.

"I also commend the engagement with operators during the campaign development process, which has ensured that caravan and camping sites are included for the first time – opening thousands of more opportunities for people to travel to river communities over the coming months.

"Caravan and holiday parks are the largest suppliers of accommodation in the regions, our guests spend on average $712 per trip. As we recover from these floods, this additional expenditure in the regions will be welcomed by all business operators."