Photo: My Sister & The Sea Airbnb
South Australians can look forward to another round of summer adventures, with the return of the hugely popular Coast is Calling travel vouchers—this time bigger, expanded, and extended to reach more of the state’s coastline.
A total of 30,000 vouchers will be available in the new round, up from 20,000 in the first, offering up to $500 off accommodation and $100 off experiences across South Australia’s coastal destinations. The initiative, jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments as part of the Algal Bloom Summer Plan, aims to boost tourism and economic activity while supporting local communities impacted by algal bloom.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the program would give locals the perfect reason to enjoy a beachside break while supporting regional operators. “Our Summer Plan is comprehensive, supporting hardworking local businesses, our environment and ensuring South Australians can enjoy their summer. It’s about minimising the impact of the algal bloom to the extent we can. We know the summer period is a critical season for our State’s coastal tourism businesses, with many operators earning most of their revenue in this period. That’s why we’re running a bigger, expanded and extended Coast is Calling travel voucher round to ensure as many South Australians as possible get out there and visit our spectacular coast,” he said.
The vouchers will apply to an extended travel period from 5 December 2025 to 26 April 2026, covering the busy summer season and beyond. The program will also expand to include holiday rentals such as Airbnbs that are registered on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, as well as the Kangaroo Island ferry and a wider range of guided sporting, leisure, and entertainment experiences.
Federal Minister for Tourism Don Farrell said the program continues to deliver tangible benefits for coastal towns. “Our coastal communities need our support this summer, and this voucher program is already helping deliver for businesses and traders along our coast. When we support small tourism businesses, we’re supporting local jobs and the heart of our coastal communities,” he said. “The Coast is Calling vouchers are a practical way to make sure our coastline remains a great place to live, work and visit. This is an example of what can be achieved when Federal and State Governments stand together to support South Australians.”
Public ballot entries for the vouchers will open from 1 to 3 December, with the draw on 4 December and bookings to be made by 19 January 2026. Any unclaimed vouchers will be reissued in a redraw on 22 January, ensuring maximum uptake and economic benefit for participating businesses.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the vouchers were helping strengthen regional economies across the coast. “These vouchers are helping local businesses bounce back, driving tourism, and keeping regional economies strong right across the state’s coastline. This program is about more than just holidays—it’s about supporting jobs, small businesses and the communities that make South Australia’s coast such a special part of the country,” he said.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the first round had already proven the impact of the initiative. “We’re currently seeing the impact a voucher program can make, with the first round of Coast is Calling vouchers already injecting over $2.7 million in booking value alone into communities impacted by the algal bloom,” she said. “Another 30,000 vouchers released for summer will be a game-changer for many coastal businesses who rely on this holiday period to set themselves up for the rest of the year. The beauty of these vouchers is the kick-on effects to local businesses such as pubs, cafes, takeaway shops, and retail that all help make a coastal town unique.”
Eligible tourism operators in coastal postcodes can submit expressions of interest from 27 October to 7 November, while South Australians aged 18 and over can enter the ballot for the chance to secure a voucher from December 1-3, via southaustralia.com/voucher.
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