Overview
Victorians, it's holiday time. After a year largely spent staring at your own four walls, you probably don't need much motivation to head out of town, but the State Government is giving you some anyway. In an effort to encourage everyone to take a getaway within the state, it's handing out $200 vouchers for regional travel.
The idea has two obvious aims: enticing Victorian residents to go venturing throughout the state, and helping support regional restaurants, pubs, hotels, wineries and small businesses. The move was announced today, Wednesday, November 18, by Premier Daniel Andrews as part of a $465 million Victorian Tourism Recovery Package — with $28 million dedicated to the voucher scheme in the 2020–21 Victorian Budget.
That $28 million figure will cover up to 120,000 vouchers, although there is a caveat. To receive one, you'll need to spend at least $400 on accommodation, attractions or tours in regional Victoria. So, at most, half of your expenses will be covered. Still, that's $200 that you won't have to fork out yourself.
Unsurprisingly, the Victorian Government is planning to get the scheme up and running before Christmas — in December, just as summer and holiday season both hit.
Visit Victoria
How you'll receive the vouchers hasn't yet been announced. Neither have any other caveats and rules that might apply. But add this to the list of much-needed great news this year— and news aimed at getting you after the house, too, after metropolitan Melbourne's curfew, 25-kilometre rule and four permissible reasons to leave home were all ditched, and the 'ring of steel' separating the city from regional parts of the state as well.
Top image: Split Point Lighthouse via Visit Victoria.