Overview
When autumn arrives, it doesn't just bring a reprieve from summer's sweltering weather. The change of season also kicks a new round of holiday pangs into gear. Been craving a cosy getaway, a break from the nine-to-five grind or just a chance to relax? Feel like your Christmas break was ages ago? We hear you — and, if you're eager to make a trip to South Australia before winter hits, the SA Government hears you as well.
As it's done a few times already, the South Australian Government is giving away travel vouchers to make your next trip to SA even more enticing — and cheaper. Up for grabs are 60,000 $100 and $200 vouchers that can be used on experiences and tours. So, you'll still need to pay for travel and accommodation (or get comfy in a friend or family member's spare room), but you'll get something fun to do while you're there.
As part of SA's Great State Vouchers scheme, the vouchers are available to Aussies nationwide, but they're only on offer until 5pm ACDT — so 5.30pm AEDT and 4.30pm AEST — on Wednesday, March 9. You'll need to enter a ballot to win one, and you can only apply for either a $100 or $200 voucher, not both, but that's still some free travel money coming your way if you're successful.
Wondering about the different values? The 57,500 $100 vouchers are for half-day and one-day activities, while the 2500 $200 vouchers are for multi-day tours and experiences that also include at least a one-night stay. And if you're curious about what you can use them for, options include yoga and wine retreats, a session at gin school in the Barossa, kayaking and meditation classes, wine-tasting, a trip to an oyster farm, and a brewery tour and lunch. There's also a Handorf walking tour, heli-camping, farm stays, outback tours and an e-cycling wine safari.
If you get lucky in the ballot, you'll be allocated your preferred voucher at random, and informed via text message and email on Thursday, March 10. After that, you can then use them book between Thursday, March 10–Thursday, March 31 for visits between Friday, March 11–Sunday, May 31.
There are a few caveats, unsurprisingly. As well as only being able to enter the ballot for one voucher, you might have to also spend some of your own money to use it — to make up the shortfall in price for your chosen tour or experience, if there is one — as well. But, if you received a voucher in prior rounds, you can definitely still enter.
And, again, accommodation isn't covered, either. The idea is that folks heading to SA from interstate will then pump some cash into the economy by paying for hotels — and flights, food and drinks — while they're there.
For further details about South Australia's Great State Vouchers scheme — or to enter the ballot for one before 5pm ACDT / 5.30pm AEDT / 4.30pm AEST on Wednesday, March 9 — head to the voucher scheme website.