Overview
When was the last time that you went to one of the Gold Coast's theme parks, or Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary? Took a tour on Tamborine Mountain? Hit up one of the coastal city's other attractions, such as Dracula's or the SkyPoint Observation Deck? Whether it's been forever or you're a local, the Queensland Government wants southeast Queenslanders to play tourist on the Goldie over the next few months — and it's giving away $50 vouchers to help.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, everyone knows how these tourism initiatives work, and why. This one comes after the Gold Coast suffered severe weather over the period at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024, impacting summer getaway bookings. Accordingly, the state's powers that be are attempting to assist the industry by encouraging folks to add the area to their plans sometime soon.
Shiftchange via Wikimedia Commons
Under the name GC Summer FUNds, and as part of a partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and Experience Gold Coast, there's 50,000 vouchers up for grabs. The government has committed $2.5 million to the program.
Queensland Premiere Steven Miles announced the scheme on Monday, January 15, with vouchers available for redemption from midday the same day. You have until 11.59pm AEST on Friday, March 29, 2024 to get in on the action — or until 50,000 redemptions have been made
"The Gold Coast is one of Queensland's tourism hot spots because of the world class attractions and experiences on offer," said the Premier.
"This summer, our tourism operators have been some of the hardest hit here and in Cairns, so it's time we help them get back on their feet."
As always, there are caveats. Using the vouchers involves entering the code "GCSUMMERFUNDS" when you're making a new booking via the initiative's website, but you have to spend $100 or more to qualify. There's also only one voucher available per southeast Queensland resident — and, as well as needing to be 18 or over, you do need to live in Brisbane metro or CBD, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, the Sunshine Coast or Toowoomba.
You'll be required to enter your residential address when you book, and the scheme's terms and conditions advise that it will be adding extra verification via checking IP addresses.
And that end date? It's just as the Easter long weekend kicks off — so you'll need to have Gold Coast plans before then.
Applications for the 50,000 $50 GC Summer FUNds travel vouchers are opening now until 11.59pm AEST on Friday, March 29, 2024 — or until 50,000 redemptions have been made. For more information, or to apply during the aforementioned window, head to the initiative's website.