The scheme has been extended to the region this week with dozens of participating businesses now accepting the digital vouchers.

Every adult in NSW is eligible for $100 worth of vouchers, which are split into two $25 dining vouchers and two $25 discover vouchers that can be used to attend art galleries, live music events or cultural institutions. Dining vouchers can only be used Monday to Thursday.

Both businesses and and customers must register via the Service NSW website or app. The vouchers are only eligible until June 30.

"It's been 12 months since COVID started impacting us, it's been a bit of a grind and I think this will be a bit of a boost for a lot of businesses," Newy Burger Co owner Ben Neil said on Thursday.

"We're probably at that price point where it is essentially a free feed on Gladys.

"I'd be pretty surprised if people don't cash in on this."

Mr Neil said the vouchers were used at his business for the first time on Wednesday.

They must be spent in full otherwise the remaining amount is lost. Neither the customer or business can retain what is leftover.

"We don't get the rest of it and they don't get a credit," he said. "It's not too hard to spend $25, I don't think. You can get a burger, chips and a shake for $25, or you can get a burger, chips and a dessert."

The dining vouchers can be used at hotels and registered clubs, but can not be used to purchase alcohol.

"Our weekends take care of themselves but to have that benefit on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday is certainly something to look forward to," The Burwood Inn publican Tony Dart said. "It will be fantastic. It's almost like a little thank you with people coming into the venue."

Participating businesses can be found on the Service NSW website. Newcastle (27) was the suburb which had the most businesses listed as accepting the dining vouchers, followed by Kotara (14), Cooks Hill (12), Hamilton (11) and Charlestown and Merewether (8).

Newcastle's Famous Tram operator Chris Kepreotes said the scheme needed to be advertised more as he had found very few people knew about it. He is optimistic of picking up a decent amount of trade as his 80-minute city tours are priced at $25 for adults and $5 for children. He said the past 18 months had been a difficult period but he had launched roaming dinner tours late last year which had proved a hit.

"I had a bad year last year with COVID and no cruise ships and interstate buses coming in," he said.

"But we've started doing progressive dinners on Friday, Saturday nights. That's taken off big time and kept me going. We start at Queen's Wharf, head to Strzelecki for a couple of complementary drinks, go to The Edwards for an entrée, the Burwood for a main meal and finish at Babylon for a cocktail or dessert."

Discover vouchers can be used at some council facilities, including the Newcastle Museum, Civic Theatre and Blackbutt Reserve.

Lake Macquarie council is awaiting for its Museum of Art and Culture, Rathmines Theatre and Warners Bay Theatre to be registered.