It seems Maitland residents have embraced the freebies using them across the city at locations like Reading Cinemas, Lavenders Cafe and The Pourhouse.

The NSW Government has launched Dine and Discover NSW to encourage the community to get out and about and support dining, arts and recreation businesses.

NSW residents aged 18 and over can apply for 4 x $25 vouchers, worth $100 in total.

Tom Armitage from The Pourhouse in High Street, Maitland said he could not be happier with the uptake.

"Since we started to accept the vouchers it has led to lots of new faces popping in to try a meal," he said.

"From that we try and offer a great experience so they might come back again with their own money.

"Since the 20th of March we've accepted upwards of 50 vouchers per week - noting we only trade five days a week.

"I think it's been a great initiative and has opened plenty of patrons eyes that its time to get back out and about to visit and frequent their local food and beverage establishments again," Tom said.

Lavenders Cafe Owner Emma Pilgrim said the voucher system was a little slow to start but now her business doesn't go a day without scanning them.

"We'd get about four at a minimum a day," Emma said. "They have definitely helped our business in terms of sales. "What we are hoping is that people come and use them to dine and then realise the cafe is a great place and hopefully we get some return customers as a result," she said.

Yvette Cavanagh from Reading Cinemas is also experiencing a business boost. "We're getting heaps coming through," she said. "They have been very popular."

The vouchers are valid until June 30 this year and you can still apply for them up to that date.

They can be used at participating NSW businesses that are registered as COVID Safe.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for Dine & Discover NSW Vouchers online.

You'll need a MyServiceNSW Account, proof of identity documents such as your NSW driver licence, Medicare card, Australian passport.

In other news today:

. Oakhampton Road to remain closed for several weeks.

. Cold snap set to hit this weekend.

. Look Who's Talking bringing Kurt Fearnley to Maitland.