How to use your Dine and Discover vouchers before they expire

Today is the last day to redeem any unused Dine and Discover vouchers, which expire at the end of the financial year.

Last week 9News revealed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of the $25 vouchers, given to NSW residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, may go to waste.

So if you're hoping for a free lunch or dinner, or a last-minute trip to the movies, it's your last chance to use them.

However, if you don't plan to do that today, there are a number of other options when it comes to making the most of the free money.

READ MORE: NSW areas with millions of dollars in unused Dine & Discover vouchers

Pay it forward

One option is to use the voucher on a pay it forward basis for families in need.

Symbio Wildlife Park, the Australian Reptile Park and Oakvale Wildlife Park are all working with a bunch of children's charities to give them free passes.

All you need to do is visit their website and plug in your voucher number and they will convert that into a double pass which will be distributed through groups such as Camp Quality, Variety, and Kids With Cancer Foundation.

Matilda's Farmyard Nursery in the Illawarra is also accepting donations.

Ngalaya, a group that support First Nations lawyers and law students, will use the vouchers to ensure Indigenous community members and law students can attend its first annual ball.

Buy a voucher

The Discover vouchers can also be used to book an event or performance in the future.

For example you can use them to go to a movie screening, or theatre show in the future as long as you buy the tickets by June 30.

You can buy e-vouchers on the Hoyts website, while you can book ahead at Events or Palace cinemas.

Venues such as Sydney Zoo, Taronga Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Sydney, and the Sydney Tower Eye also accept the vouchers to be used for a booking in the future.

Service NSW also has a finder on its website where you can look up businesses in your area that are accepting the vouchers.

Is today really the last day?

The NSW government has made it clear they will not be extending the vouchers beyond the end of this financial year.

"If participating businesses would like to donate funds to charity, they may continue to use the Dine & Discover NSW marketing to attract customers and donate $25 whenever an adult visits and redeems their voucher," Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello told Nine.com.au

"A business may contact Service NSW for advice on how they can support charities within the guidelines of the program."