More help is on the way for South Australia’s coastal communities, with new dining cashbacks and an expanded Coast is Calling travel voucher program
South Australia’s coastal communities are getting another helping hand, with Premier Peter Malinauskas announcing travel and dining vouchers to support local businesses hit hard by the algal bloom.
The $15 million Coast is Calling – Dining Cashback program offers 50 percent back when diners spend up to $100 at eligible coastal venues, with 60,000 cashbacks available each month from November through to March.
A public ballot opens Monday 3 November and will be drawn Monday 10 November, with winners able to use their cashback until 7 December. Four more monthly draws will follow for December through March, each offering 60,000 cashbacks.
Diners upload their receipt from a participating business to claim up to $50 back, and all hospitality venues in eligible coastal postcodes — from pubs and cafés to takeaway fish-and-chip shops — can register.
The dining offer will run alongside the Coast is Calling travel voucher program, which returns this summer bigger, better, and longer.
The State and Federal Governments have confirmed 30,000 travel vouchers will be released to boost coastal tourism, with higher-value options on offer, including $200 and $500 accommodation vouchers, plus $100 experience vouchers.
Bigger and longer for summer
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the combined dining and travel programs are part of the broader Algal Bloom Summer Plan, helping both beachgoers and coastal businesses.
“Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a meal on our spectacular coast, and the Dining Cashback and Travel Vouchers together make that even more affordable,” he said. “We know the summer period is critical for coastal tourism operators, and that’s why we’re running a bigger, expanded, and extended round — to make sure as many South Australians as possible get out there and enjoy our spectacular coast.”
The program now includes holiday rentals such as Airbnbs and similar properties, as long as they’re listed on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) and have an ABN. The travel window has also been extended, running from 5 December 2025 to 26 April 2026, giving holidaymakers plenty of time to plan a summer escape.
Supporting coastal communities
Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the vouchers are a simple way to keep money flowing into regional economies.
“When we support small tourism businesses, we’re supporting local jobs and the heart of our coastal communities,” he said.
The first round injected more than $2.7 million in bookings into coastal regions, with pubs, cafes, and local shops also reaping the benefits. Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the next round will build on that success.
“Over $2.7 million in bookings is a huge boost,” she said. “Another 30,000 vouchers will be a game-changer for coastal businesses that rely on summer trade.”
Collectively, the Dining Cashback, Travel Vouchers, and extended Coast is Calling marketing campaign represent an additional $20 million investment from the State and Federal Governments to support South Australia’s coastal tourism and hospitality businesses this summer.
How to get one
South Australians aged 18 and over can enter the public ballot from 1–3 December 2025, with winners drawn on 4 December. Vouchers must be booked by 19 January, and any unclaimed vouchers will go into a redraw on 22 January.
The criteria for the summer round will remain the same, with businesses in eligible coastal postcodes invited to submit an Expression of Interest to join the program between 27 October and 7 November 2025.
For full details or to enter the ballot, visit southaustralia.com/voucher.
Planning your beach getaway?
Before you pack the esky and hit the road, check out our story on the new Beachsafe app, which is part of the same Algal Bloom Summer Plan, giving real-time updates on beach conditions across SA.
Read the full story here
