Five outdoor cinemas in Victoria worth the drive

Forget about being cooped-up inside, summer is about the great outdoors and that includes the movies.

Outdoor cinemas these days offer more than just a patch of grass: boozy bars, food trucks, and beanbags add to the carnival atmosphere and then there’s a mainstream or arthouse movie once the sun sets.

Here are five of our faves in Victoria.

Talk about multi-tasking. Classic Cinemas in inner-southwestern Elsternwick already has a rep for combining mainstream releases with arthouse offerings but keep climbing the stairs and you’ll reach the rooftop movie theatre. There are rooftop views and a grandstand supporting comfy director’s chairs facing a big screen. Screenings are on weekends and change daily, while patrons are welcome to arrive early to take advantage of sunset and the rooftop bar (happy hour from 5pm!) before the show.

Here’s an outdoor cinema that’s definitely kid-friendly with weekend screenings starting at 4pm thanks to Melbourne Cable Park’s ultra-bright LED screen that operates earlier than usual. You’ll need to BYO seating to this permanent outdoor cinema, set in this brilliant water slide and cable skiing complex, or book a beanbag. Screening times are later during the week for adults and you can choose between paying for movie-time only, or add it to a fun day out at the park for free.

St Kilda’s botanic gardens are an urban oasis just a few minutes walk from Acland Street and the lush grass and swaying palms are a gorgeous venue for Sunset Cinema’s summer program. Gates open at 7pm and moviegoers can enjoy a drink from the licensed bar, browse the food truck’s offerings and set up your own seating or snaffle a pre-booked perch. Better still, the Sunset Lounge ticket upgrade includes a bean-lounger and bottomless popcorn, but you’re welcome to bring your own picnic too.

Melbourne has three drive-in cinemas (including Coburg and Dandenong) but Dromana has to be the most picturesque. It’s on the Mornington Peninsula where thousands flock over summer to spend quality beach time and on a warm, clear evening the rural atmosphere among paddocks and vineyards is something special. There are three screens, plus walk-in facilities – deckchairs are provided for a few bucks, but you’ll need your own FM radio – a 1950s themed diner and space for hundreds of cars. It’s been there since 1961 and is quite rightly a local institution.

Make a date for this one because Quambatook is quite a drive from Melbourne (300km up the Calder Highway) and Silo Cinema screenings only happen twice a year. Why’s that? Because films are projected onto this wheatbelt town’s huge silos and during harvest it gets a bit too busy for movies! But in February and October local Quambies turn out in force, often dressed as the featured film’s characters and it’s a fun country atmosphere. Plan a road trip, check the pub, caravan park or this Air BnB for accommodation and live it up, Quamby style.

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