The NSW Dine and Discover scheme has been extended to the end of July after only 7.4 million of the 16.9 million vouchers have been used so far.
More than five million of these vouchers have been dining vouchers and a further 2.1 million have been splashed on going to the movies.
Given that a huge range of businesses are accepting discover vouchers, this shows NSW residents have been fairly unimaginative with their picks so far.
Furthermore, the vouchers have so far been used mostly in the City of Sydney region, followed by Blacktown and the Central Coast. However, plenty of the best activities on offer are scattered throughout regional New South Wales.
With all that in mind, here are eight of the best regional destinations to spend your discover vouchers on, so you can get out there and see the best of NSW before they expire.
Escape Rooms Tamworth
If you’ve always thought you’d do pretty well as a detective, you can use your voucher at Escape Rooms Tamworth. You’ll be solving clues, puzzles and riddles as you try to make your way out of the room. You’ll get some brain power going, have plenty of fun and lightly test the strength of your friendships as you argue over the best strategy for escape. You can choose between rooms like Zombie Apocalypse, Down a Rabbit Hole and Escape the Murder Scene.
Price after voucher: $10pp if with 3 or more friends, $15pp if with 2 people
Visit: escaperoomstamworth.com
Skydive Newcastle
If you’ve sworn off the idea of ever skydiving, a $25 voucher probably isn’t going to get you back onside, but if you’ve been waiting for the right time, then why not snap up the discount while you can? You’ll gaze over the glistening Lake Macquarie as gravity plays its role and you hurtle down towards earth. It’s a rush unlike any other and if it’s either unticked on your bucket list, or you’ve been and want to go again, this is your perfect chance.
Price after voucher: $354 for a 15,000ft tandem skydive
Visit: www.skydive.com.au/newcastle
Old Dubbo Gaol
Old Dubbo Gaol is accepting discover vouchers, meaning you can explore its curious history either for free or close to it. The gaol has been a courthouse, a lock-up for serious criminals and a psychiatric ward, meaning it has plenty of stories to tell. You’ll hear tales of gruesome hangings, wicked escapes and tragic massacres in the gaol that was restored for tourism in 1974. There’s everything from kid’s activities to the adults-only Beyond the Grave tour.
Price after voucher: Free for a self-gided tour
Visit: olddubbogaol.com.au
Bathurst Laser Skirmish
The world felt like it was getting pretty close to an apocalypse for a few minutes there, so it probably crossed your mind how you’d fare if it did. Well put your mind at rest by testing yourself with some laser skirmish in Bathurst. Duck and weave your way through the industrial warehouse with the knowledge that after redeeming your voucher, you’ll be playing without having to spend a cent. It’s a great day out and you can enjoy some of Bathurst’s great food and scenery afterwards.
Price after voucher: Free
Visit: everywherevenues.com
Go Karts Go Broadmeadow
If skydiving is a bit too much for your Newcastle adventure, there’s plenty of fun to be had on the ground as well. Go Karts Go Broadmeadow is Newcastle’s biggest and fastest go kart hire venue and zooming around the track is completely exhilarating. There’s a great range of karts and the team will give you some quick tips to have you feeling fast and furious the whole way around.
Price after voucher: $10 for 13 minute session
Visit: gokartsgo.com.au
Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
You can even use your discover voucher to get down to the theatre and the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre has plenty on offer for you. American Psycho – The Musical is playing from July 14 to 17, Echoes of Pink Floyd is on July 24 and Once the Musical is on August 11 to 15. This gives you the chance to view some of Australia’s best touring plays and musicals with your $25 discount.
Price after voucher: Dependent on event
Visit: merrigong.com.au
Balloon Aloft Mudgee
The chilled sibling of skydiving, Balloon rides are a spectacular experience and there aren’t many better locations to take one than around the rolling hills of Mudgee. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the swooping green valleys being smothered in the sun’s morning rays. You’ll be in the sky for an hour, with a delicious champagne breakfast included for afterwards and can snap some sensational photos to look back on afterwards.
Price after voucher: $254
Visit: balloonaloft.com
Birdland Animal Park, Batemans Bay
If you’re road tripping from Canberra to the coast, Birdland Animal Park is the perfect place to take the kids. They’ll get to meet Arthur the Deer, Big Red the Kangaroo, Bangles the baby wombat and plenty more. You can even get hands on and cuddle the wombats or let harmless snakes wrap themselves around your body. There’s a picnic area and free BBQ to fill up the rest of your afternoon before you can continue down to the coast.
Price after voucher: $1 for adult, free for child and seniors
Visit: birdlandanimalpark.com.au