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It seems like it was just yesterday that the NSW government launched its Dine and Discover voucher scheme, encouraging residents to get out and support local dining, arts and recreation businesses.
Fast-forward to now and all vouchers are set to expire Thursday, June 30. If you haven’t yet applied or used your NSW Dine and Discover vouchers yet, now is the time. It’s free money — why wouldn’t you cash in on it?
That said, it’s entirely understandable if you don’t know how exactly to use the vouchers. Ahead, we share in detail on that, including how to use the Discover vouchers now so they’ll pay for an activity, session or event up to 36 months from when they expire.
What Are the NSW Dine and Discover Vouchers?
Firstly, if you’re not familiar with the scheme: all NSW residents over the age of 18 are eligible for two $25 Dine NSW Vouchers and two $25 Discover NSW vouchers and a third, which can be used for either.
The Dine vouchers can be used for takeaway meals and dining at restaurants, cafés, bars, wineries, pubs and clubs, while the Discover vouchers can go towards entertainment and recreation, including movie screenings, museum visits, arts experiences and concerts.
How Do I Access the Vouchers?
If you haven’t signed up for your vouchers yet, you can do so online on the Service NSW site, through the Service NSW app or by calling 13 77 88. You’ll need a MyService NSW account, two proof of identity documents like a NSW driver’s license, Medicare card or Australian passport. Once you’ve applied, the vouchers will then be available to you on the Service NSW app.
How Do I Use the Dine Voucher?
For starters, you’ll want to check that the venue is a participating business using the Dine & Discover NSW business finder. Also, know that the vouchers can’t be used for alcohol, tobacco, gambling or online orders. If you’re visiting a participating venue, simply show them your voucher and they’ll scan the QR code to take $25 off your bill. Easy!
How Do I Use the Discover Voucher?
Like with the Dine vouchers, start by checking what businesses are participating in the scheme.
Once you’ve picked your business, the easiest way to redeem your voucher is to Google search ‘[business name] Dine and Discover voucher’. Most businesses have dedicated pages set up to explain their redeeming process. It’s also worth checking their dedicated sites to see if they have any special deals on offer. For instance, HOYTS Cinemas has $25 deals that use up the total voucher amount and offer great value.
Some other participating businesses you can use the Discover vouchers on include Sydney include BridgeClimb Sydney, The Sydney Tower Eye, Cork and Canvas, City Recital Hall, Strike Bowling King Street Wharf, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Dance Company and Holey Moley.
How Can I Extend the Vouchers’ Validity?
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’ll definitely need to eat before June 30, so, next time you’re hungry, remember to use your Dine NSW voucher to pay for it.
When it comes to the Discover NSW voucher, though, it’s a bit harder to do an activity or go to an event before June 30. If you don’t have space in your social calendar to book something in before June 30, you can call the venue and book the session or tickets in advance. You’ll simply need to read out the voucher’s code to them and, if there’s a price difference (you can only apply one $25 voucher to each experience), pay that ahead of time.
HOYTS is letting you use your Discover NSW vouchers towards tickets to any movie within 36 months from their expiration date. Conveniently, RedBalloon is also letting you book your experiences in advance online. On the checkout page, under the ‘add promos & vouchers’ section, simply add your Discover voucher code.
Some experiences of RedBalloon’s NSW experiences you can pre-book include:
Hot Air Ballooning Over The Hunter Valley: Experience the exhilaration of a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Hunter Valley. As you float peacefully with the clouds, admire this world-class wine region bathed in the golden hues of sunrise, before savouring an a la carte breakfast with sparkling for two following the flight.
Seaplane to Jonah’s Restaurant for Lunch: Fly by seaplane to Jonah’s for the quintessential Sydney experience. Be indulged with a scenic flight over Sydney Harbour and the Northern Beaches before landing on Pittwater at Palm Beach. Enjoy three courses at the one-hatted Jonah’s before flying back to Rose Bay.
Luke Nguyen Lunch Menu with Wine at Botanic House: Tantalise your taste buds with a chef tasting menu lunch nestled within Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Served share-style, your senses will be awakened by a modern Asian-inspired menu that’s perfectly fused with native Australian ingredients.
F1 Style Race Car Driving Experience: Reach speeds you could only ever dream of during this thrilling drive experience at Eastern Creek race track. Seated only inches above the ground in a F1-style Formula Ford race car, feel every bump and vibration as you blister around the racetrack.
Skydive Over Wollongong Beach: Feel the rush of a lifetime as you jump out of a plane at 15,000ft. Experience invigorating freefall for up to 60 seconds, before the parachute is launched and you float serenely back down to ground for up to eight minutes.
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