Every Must-See Outdoor Cinema in Australia

Experience the magic of watching films under the stars with Australia’s best outdoor and drive-in cinemas.

There’s something magical about watching a movie under the night sky. Whether you’re lounging on a picnic blanket with snacks or reclining in a deck chair with a glass of wine, outdoor cinemas provide the perfect mix of entertainment and nature. Across Australia, stunning open-air venues set the stage for unforgettable movie nights.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Australian Traveller (@austtraveller)

Ready for a film with a view? Here are Australia’s best outdoor cinema experiences to catch a flick under the stars.

1. Moonlight Cinema, multiple locations

an outdoor film-watching experience at Moonlight Cinema — Moonlight Cinema offers a truly immersive outdoor experience.

A favourite across Australia, Moonlight Cinema offers a truly immersive outdoor experience. With locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, this popular open-air cinema blends blockbuster movies with stunning backdrops like Centennial Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Bring your own picnic or grab a gourmet snack from the food trucks, then settle in for a night of classic films, family favourites or new releases. Don’t forget to rent a double bean bed for ultimate movie-watching comfort.

When: Until 16 February 2025 (Adelaide and Brisbane) and 30 March 2025 (Melbourne, Perth and Sydney)

2. Sunset Cinema, multiple locations

watching a movie at sunset, Australia — The show begins at last light.

For a laid-back yet luxurious evening under the stars, Sunset Cinema offers a premium outdoor cinema experience in select locations including Canberra, North Sydney and Wollongong. With state-of-the-art screens set against scenic views, you can enjoy cult classics, family-friendly flicks and recent blockbusters.

The best part? There will be food vendors onsite, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your movie in style. Popcorn in one hand, drink in the other – what more could you need?

When: Varies by location

3. Deckchair Cinema, Darwin, NT

the big screen at Deckchair Cinema, Darwin, NT — Festoon lighting frames the big screen for the ultimate celebratory mood. (Image: Tourism NT)

Watching a movie at Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema is an experience like no other. Located on the waterfront, this community-run cinema is open during the dry season and offers an eclectic mix of films, from indie flicks to cult classics.

Grab a deckchair, watch the sunset over the ocean and enjoy a film with the sounds of the tropics around you. You can bring your own food or enjoy dinner from local vendors, making it the perfect tropical movie night.

When: During the dry season (May to October)

4. Coburg Drive-In, Melbourne, Vic

a fleet of cars at Coburg Drive-In, Melbourne, Vic — Coburg Drive-In is hosted in a heritage-listed venue.

For a classic drive-in experience in Melbourne, head to Coburg Drive-In , located just 12 kilometres from the CBD. The heritage-listed cinema brings the latest releases to life while you relax in your car, tune in through the radio and enjoy a night of nostalgia.

The retro diner serves up burgers and hot dogs, so you can complete your movie night with some old-school snacks. It’s a family-friendly outing that brings back the magic of drive-in movies.

When: All year round

5. Skyline Drive-In, Blacktown, NSW

a vintage car alongside chairs at Skyline Drive-In, Blacktown, NSW — Set up chairs alongside your car for an unforgettable cinema night.

Known as Skyline Drive-In , this Sydney institution in Blacktown is the only remaining drive-in in the city. With two giant screens, the drive-in features both new releases and themed retro-movie nights.

The onsite Happy Days-style diner enhances the nostalgic feel with its ‘50s-style decor and menu filled with burgers, shakes and fries.

the ‘50s-style dining at Skyline Drive-In, Blacktown, NSW — The retro-chic dining adds to the nostalgic feel of the drive-in.

It’s a popular spot for families, groups of friends and couples looking for a unique movie night. Watch a film from the comfort of your car or bring chairs to set up outside and enjoy the Sydney night sky.

When: All year round

6. Yatala Drive-In, Yatala, Qld

the outdoor cinema at Yatala Drive-In, Yatala, Qld — Yatala Drive-In is a one real drive-in.

Located halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Yatala Drive-In has been keeping the retro cinema experience alive since 1974. With two big screens and a menu of classic drive-in fare, this is the perfect place to settle in for a nostalgic night under the stars.

Yatala Drive-In is a beloved Queensland institution and Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s last original drive-in.

When: All year round

7. Westpac OpenAir Cinema, Sydney, NSW

the outdoor cinema at Westpac OpenAir Cinema, Sydney, NSW — Westpac OpenAir Cinema isn’t your typical outdoor cinema experience.

Westpac OpenAir Cinema is often dubbed the world’s most beautiful cinema, and it’s easy to see why. Located at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, this spectacular cinema offers unbeatable views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline as the backdrop to your movie. The screen literally rises from the water, providing an unforgettable setting for films ranging from new releases to classic favourites.

Returning to Sydney Harbour on 9 January 2025, Westpac OpenAir Cinema has a fresh new addition: the ‘Festival of Food’, a gourmet dining experience curated by the Trippas White Group. The culinary lineup features three of Sydney’s top chefs – Luke Nguyen, Danielle Alvarez and Scott McComas-Williams – each creating unique dining concepts. Whether you’re indulging in a casual bite or a refined pre-screening meal, this event promises an unforgettable night of cinematic magic and culinary delight. For a night of glamour and cinematic magic, this is a must-visit for film lovers.

When: 9 January – 18 February 2025

8. Sun Pictures, Broome, WA

the exterior of Sun Pictures, Broome, WA — Sun Pictures has been screening films since 1916. (Image: Brett Barnett Photography)

Claiming the title of the world’s oldest operating outdoor cinema, Sun Pictures in Broome is a must-visit for any film lover. This heritage-listed cinema has been screening films since 1916 and watching a movie here feels like stepping back in time.

The historic charm of the venue, coupled with Broome’s balmy tropical nights, makes for an unforgettable outdoor movie experience. The lineup ranges from the latest blockbusters to classic films, offering something for everyone in this iconic setting.

When: All year round

9. Mov’In Bed, Barangaroo, NSW

the outdoor cinema at Mov'In Bed, Melbourne and Sydney — Outdoor cinema experiences don’t get comfier than this.

For the ultimate in cosy outdoor cinema experiences, Mov’In Bed offers something truly unique: a bed under the stars. Sitting pretty in Barangaroo, this quirky and fun cinema lets you snuggle up under the stars in a plush bed with pillows and blankets.

Whether you’re watching a new release or a beloved classic, the experience is made even better with gourmet food and drinks delivered straight to your bed. Perfect for couples, friends, or families, Mov’In Bed takes outdoor cinema to a whole new level of comfort and relaxation, making it one of the most fun and memorable ways to enjoy a movie night.

When: Until March 2025

10. Dromana 3 Drive-In, Dromana, Vic

Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne in the Mornington Peninsula, Dromana 3 Drive-In has been showing films since the 1960s. With three screens playing the latest releases, this retro drive-in is a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

The original 1950s diner, Shel’s Diner, adds to the nostalgia, offering all your favourite cinema treats and meals. Dromana 3 also hosts special themed nights and retro screenings, making it more than just a movie – it’s an experience steeped in history and charm.

When: All year round

11. Movies at Camelot, Perth, WA

Located in the vibrant Perth suburb of Mosman Park, Movies at Camelot is as charming as it is magical. This intimate, Mediterranean-style venue features a mix of cult favourites, indie films and blockbuster hits, all shown beneath the starry sky.

Grab a pizza or movie snacks from the bar, sip on some wine and enjoy the Mediterranean vibes in the heart of Perth. With fairy lights twinkling and a chilled-out atmosphere, it’s one of the city’s best experiences.

When: 2025 dates coming soon

12. Manly OpenAir Cinema, Manly, NSW

the Manly OpenAir Cinema, Manly, NSW — Enjoy watching classic films with the ocean as a backdrop.

Manly OpenAir Cinema brings the ultimate beachside cinema experience to one of Sydney’s most iconic locations. Nestled right by the water at Manly, this open-air cinema offers breathtaking views of the ocean as the backdrop to your movie night. With a laid-back, summer vibe, guests can enjoy recent blockbusters, family favourites and classic films while lounging on bean bags or picnic blankets.

Pair your film with gourmet snacks, 4Pines beer and Tommy’s Margaritas from the onsite vendors, and you have the perfect evening by the sea. The gentle sound of the waves and the fresh coastal air add to the magic of this quintessential Sydney experience.

When: 15–17 January 2025

13. Lido on the Roof, Melbourne, Vic

For a chic and intimate cinema experience under the stars, head to Lido on the Roof in the heart of Melbourne’s Hawthorn. Perched atop Lido Cinemas, this stylish rooftop venue creates a unique atmosphere where you can enjoy a summer evening under the stars, all with Melbourne’s skyline as the backdrop.

Perfect for movie buffs who enjoy a more boutique experience, Lido on the Roof also offers a great selection of snacks and drinks, making it easy to settle in for a relaxing night. Whether you’re there for a rom-com, action flick or nostalgic hit, this hidden gem in the city guarantees a memorable outdoor movie experience.

When: Until 25 February 2025

14. Laneway Cinema at The Rocks, Sydney, NSW

the chairs at the Laneway Cinema at The Rocks, Sydney, NSW — Laneway Cinema hosts screenings in an intimate courtyard setting.

For a unique outdoor movie experience in the heart of Sydney’s historic district, the Laneway Cinema at The Rocks offers an intimate setting surrounded by cobblestone streets and heritage buildings.

Located in one of Sydney’s most iconic areas, this pop-up cinema brings a charming and cosy atmosphere to Atherden Street, where you can enjoy cult classics, rom-coms and family favourites under the stars.

With free entry, it’s the perfect way to end an evening after exploring The Rocks’ vibrant markets, restaurants and bars. Grab a blanket, settle into a deck chair and enjoy a movie in this hidden gem of a location, surrounded by the rich history and ambience of one of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhoods.

When: Until 26 March 2025

There’s something truly special about watching a film under the stars. So, grab your tickets, pack your snacks and get ready for an unforgettable night at the movies, Aussie style!

Video credit: Visit Victoria/Tourism Australia

The Grampians just might be the ultimate antidote for the metropolis, writes one returning Aussie ready to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect to the Great outdoors.

There are no kangaroos back in Chicago: they’re all here in the Grampians/Gariwerd . In the heart of the Grampians National Park’s main gateway town, Halls Gap, pods of eastern greys are eating grass beside my parked rental car beneath the stars. Next morning, when I see the backyard of my rented villa on the edge of town for the first time, there are kangaroos feeding beside a slow-moving creek, lined with river red gums.

Five hundred metres up the road, 50 or so of them are eating by the side of the road in a paddock. I pull over to watch and spot three emus. Yellow-tailed black cockatoos fly overhead towards the tall green mountains just beyond town.

‘Kee-ow, keee-oww’… their calls fuse with the maniacal cackle of a kookaburra (or 10). Gawd, how I’ve missed the sound of them. Far above, a wedge-tailed eagle watches, and there you go: the ‘great birds of Australia’ trifecta, all half a kay from the town limits.

Exchanging city chaos for country calm

kangaroos near Halls Gap, Grampians National Park — The park is renowned for its significant diversity of native fauna species. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)

I’ve come to the Grampians to disconnect, but the bush offers a connection of its own. This isn’t just any bush, mind you. The Grampians National Park is iconic for many reasons, mostly for its striking sandstone mountains – five ridges run north to south, with abrupt, orange slopes which tumble right into Halls Gap – and for the fact there’s 20,000 years of traditional rock art. Across these mountains there are more than 200 recorded sites to see, created by the Djab Wurrung, Jardwadjali and Gunditjmara peoples. It’s just like our outback… but three hours from Melbourne.

I’ve come here for a chance at renewal after the chaos of my life in America’s third-largest city, Chicago, where I live for now, at the whim of a relative’s cancer journey. Flying into Melbourne’s airport, it only takes an hour’s drive to feel far away from any concept of suburbia. When I arrive in Halls Gap two hours later, the restaurant I’m eating at clears out entirely by 7:45pm; Chicago already feels a lifetime ago.

The trails and treasures of the Grampians

sunrise at Grampians National Park /Gariwerd — Grampians National Park /Gariwerd covers almost 2000 square kilometres. (Image: Ben Savage)

Though the national park covers almost 2000 square kilometres, its best-known landmarks are remarkably easy to access. From my carpark here, among the cockatoos and kangaroos on the fringe of Halls Gap, it only takes 60 seconds’ driving time before I’m winding my way up a steep road through rainforest, deep into the mountains.

Then it’s five minutes more to a carpark that serves as a trailhead for a hike to one of the park’s best vantage points, The Pinnacles . I walk for an hour or so, reacquainting myself with the smells and the sounds of the Aussie bush, before I reach it: a sheer cliff’s edge lookout 500 metres up above Halls Gap.

walking through a cave, Hollow Mountain — Overlooking the vast Grampians landscape from Hollow Mountain. (Image: Robert Blackburn)

There are hikes and there are lookouts and waterfalls all across this part of the park near town. Some are a short stroll from a carpark; others involve long, arduous hikes through forest. The longest is the Grampians Peaks Trail , Victoria’s newest and longest iconic walk, which runs 160 kilometres – the entire length of Grampians National Park.

Local activities operator Absolute Outdoors shows me glimpses of the trail. The company’s owner, Adrian Manikas, says it’s the best walk he’s done in Australia. He says he’s worked in national parks across the world, but this was the one he wanted to bring his children up in.

“There’s something about the Grampians,” he says, as he leads me up a path to where there’s wooden platforms for tents, beside a hut looking straight out across western Victoria from a kilometre up in the sky (these are part of the guided hiking options for the trail). “There are things out here that you won’t see anywhere else in Australia.” Last summer, 80 per cent of the park was damaged by bushfire, but Manikas shows me its regrowth, and tells me of the manic effort put in by volunteers from town – with firefighters from all over Australia – to help save Halls Gap.

wildflowers in Grampians National Park — Spot wildflowers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

We drive back down to Halls Gap at dusk to abseil down a mountain under the stars, a few minutes’ walk off the main road into town. We have headlamps, but a full moon is enough to light my way down. It takes blind faith to walk backwards down a mountain into a black void, though the upside is I can’t see the extent of my descent.

Grampians National Park at sunset. (Image: Wine Australian)

The stargazing is ruined by the moon, of course, but you should see how its glow lights up the orange of the sandstone, like in a theme park. When I’m done, I stand on a rocky plateau drinking hot chocolate and listening to the Aussie animals who prefer nighttime. I can see the streets of Halls Gap off in the distance on this Friday night. The restaurants may stay open until 8pm tonight.

What else is on offer in The Grampians?

a boat travelling along the Wimmera River inDimboola — Travelling along the Wimmera River in Dimboola. (Image: Chris McConville)

You’ll find all sorts of adventures out here – from rock climbing to canoeing to hiking – but there’s more to the Grampians than a couple of thousand square kilometres of trees and mountains. Halls Gap may be known to most people, but what of Pomonal, and Dimboola, and Horsham? Here in the shadow of those big sandstone mountains there are towns and communities most of us don’t know to visit.

And who knew that the Grampians is home to Victoria’s most underrated wine region ? My disconnection this morning comes not in a forest, but in the tasting rooms and winery restaurants of the district. Like Pomonal Estate, barely 10 minutes’ drive east of Halls Gap, where UK-born chef Dean Sibthorp prepares a locally caught barramundi with lentil, pumpkin and finger lime in a restaurant beside the vines at the base of the Grampians. Husband-and-wife team Pep and Adam Atchison tell me stories as they pour their prize wines (shiraz is the hero in these parts).

dining at Pomonal Estate — Dine in a restaurant beside vines at Pomonal Estate. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Three minutes’ drive back down the road, long-time mates Hadyn Black and Darcy Naunton run an eclectic cellar door out of a corrugated iron shed, near downtown Pomonal. The Christmas before last, half the houses in Pomonal burnt down in a bushfire, but these locals are a resilient lot.

The fires also didn’t stop the construction of the first art centre in Australia dedicated to environmental art in a nature-based precinct a little further down the road (that’s Wama – the National Centre for Environmental Arts), which opened in July. And some of the world’s oldest and rarest grape vines have survived 160 years at Best’s Wines, outside the heritage town of Great Western. There’s plantings here from the year 1868, and there’s wines stored in century-old barrels within 150-year-old tunnels beneath the tasting room. On the other side of town, Seppelt Wines’ roots go back to 1865. They’re both only a 30-minute drive from Halls Gap.

Salingers of Great Western — Great Western is a charming heritage town. (Image: Griffin Simm)

There’s more to explore yet; I drive through tiny historic towns that barely make the map. Still part of the Grampians, they’re as pretty as the mountains behind them: full of late 19th-century/early 20th-century post offices, government offices and bank buildings, converted now to all manner of bric-a-brac stores and cafes.

The Imaginarium is one, in quirky Dimboola, where I sleep in the manager’s residence of an old National Australia Bank after a gourmet dinner at the local golf club, run by noted chef and teacher, Cat Clarke – a pioneer of modern Indigenous Australian cooking. Just south, I spend an entire afternoon at a winery, Norton Estate Wines, set on rolling calico-coloured hills that make me think of Tuscany, chit-chatting with owners Chris and Sam Spence.

Being here takes me back two decades, when I lived here for a time. It had all seemed as foreign as if I’d driven to another planet back then (from Sydney/Warrane), but there seemed something inherently and immediately good about this place, like I’d lived here before.

And it’s the Australian small-town familiarity of the Grampians that offers me connection back to my own country. Even in the better-known Halls Gap, Liz from Kerrie’s Creations knows I like my lattes with soy milk and one sugar. And while I never do get the name of the lady at the local Ampol station, I sure know a lot about her life.

Kookaburras on a tree — Kookaburras are one of some 230 bird species. (Image: Darren Donlen)

You can be a local here in a day; how good is that? In Chicago, I don’t even know who my neighbour is. Though each day at dusk – when the kangaroos gather outside my villa, and the kookaburras and the black cockatoos shout out loud before settling in to sleep – I prefer the quieter connection I get out there in the bush, beneath these orange mountains.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Sleep beside the wildlife on the edge of Halls Gap at Serenity .

Playing there

abseiling down Hollow Mountain — Hollow Mountain is a popular abseiling site.

Go abseiling under the stars or join a guided hike with Absolute Outdoors . Visit Wama , Australia’s first environmental art centre. Check out Dimboola’s eccentric Imaginarium .

Eating there

steak, naan bread and beer at Paper Scissors Rock in Halls Gap — Paper Scissors Rock in Halls Gap serves a great steak on naan bread.

Eat world-class cuisine at Pomonal Estate . Dine and stay at much-revered icon Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld. The ‘steak on naan’ at Halls Gap brewhouse Paper Scissors Rock , can’t be beat.

Dunkeld Arboretum in Grampians National Park — The serene Dunkeld Arboretum.

For Halls Gap’s best breakfasts head to Livefast Cafe . Sip local wines at Great Western’s historic wineries, Best’s Wines , Seppelt Wines and Norton Estate Wines .

two glasses of beer at Paper Scissors Rock in Halls Gap — Sink a cold one at Paper Scissors Rock.

Under the stars: Australia’s 14 best outdoor cinemas and drive-ins

Experience the magic of watching films under the stars with Australia’s best outdoor and drive-in cinemas.

1. Moonlight Cinema, multiple locations

2. Sunset Cinema, multiple locations

3. Deckchair Cinema, Darwin, NT

4. Coburg Drive-In, Melbourne, Vic

5. Skyline Drive-In, Blacktown, NSW

6. Yatala Drive-In, Yatala, Qld

7. Westpac OpenAir Cinema, Sydney, NSW

8. Sun Pictures, Broome, WA

9. Mov’In Bed, Barangaroo, NSW

10. Dromana 3 Drive-In, Dromana, Vic

11. Movies at Camelot, Perth, WA

12. Manly OpenAir Cinema, Manly, NSW

13. Lido on the Roof, Melbourne, Vic

14. Laneway Cinema at The Rocks, Sydney, NSW

A Snow Moon is rising over Australia this weekend – here’s where to spot it

The ultimate guide to summer festivals around Australia

Australia’s most remote and unknown beaches have just been revealed

What’s on around Australia in February 2026

This scenic Victorian region is the perfect antidote to city life

The Grampians just might be the ultimate antidote for the metropolis, writes one returning Aussie ready to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect to the Great outdoors.

Exchanging city chaos for country calm

The trails and treasures of the Grampians

What else is on offer in The Grampians?

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Playing there

Eating there