Grab a picnic blanket, the mozzie spray and a cuddle buddy and partake in one of Perth’s favourite summer pastimes: outdoor cinema.
Perth Zoo Twilight Cinema.
Movies in the Square Hit the port city and chill out with the Freo Doctor, good vibes and a favourite family flick. To avoid sore bottoms (the Square is partly paved), remember to take a beanbag or chair and your favourite nanna blanket. Highlights Kids big and small will adore movies like Oz the Great and Powerful and The Croods. Kings Square, Fremantle. Armadale Summer Cinema Head to Rushton Park, Kelmscott, and enjoy free alfresco summer movies. Pack your picnic hamper and folding chairs and relax with family and friends in the tranquil and leafy setting. Highlights Family pleasers like Despicable Me 2 and Epic. Rushton Park, Kelmscott. Perth Zoo Twilight Outdoor Cinema Get your family and friends together for this sought-after evening of animation with an echo of real animals, as the main lawn of the Perth Zoo is transformed into one wild picnic under the stars. Highlights Hearing real lions roar when the movie goes quiet – epic! Perth Zoo, Labouchere Road, South Perth.
Joondalup Pines at ECU.
Movies by Burswood – Bassendean Located in Bassendean's cool BIC Reserve, this cinema's the one to pick on hot summer nights, because there's nothing like chilling out with friends, a drink and the stars above. Highlights Classics like Back to the Future and Dirty Dancing. Cnr Guildford Road and Wilson Street, Bassendean. Joondalup Pines at ECU Kick back amidst the pines trees, and enjoy a bottle of wine while taking in some the world's most interesting film productions. Highlights The Armstrong Lie might answer whether or not cyclist Lance dabbled in banned substances, while the 2013 Seventh Annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards celebrates the region's diversity and cultures through film. ECU, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup. Galaxy Drive-In Theatre For lovers of all things old school, a visit to Galaxy Drive-In Theatre is a must. Sure, it's a little rough around the edges – that's part of its charm. For a steal, go on Bargain Night Tuesdays (only $20 for the car). The food – hot chips, chiko rolls and toasties – is just as retro. We love. Highlights Family-friendly new releases including comedy, action and animation. Goollelal Drive, Kingsley.
Somerville Auditorium at UWA. Photography by Jarrad Seng.
Somerville Auditorium at UWA This iconic cinema is set within a breathtaking cathedral of Norfolk pine trees on the historic grounds of UWA. Relax on one of the deckchairs or claim a patch of grass to take in a Perth International Arts Festival flick. Highlights Coast – an homage to the Australian coastline – and Child's Pose, the winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival 2013. UWA, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley. Camelot Cinema Set in a limestone-walled courtyard in the heart of Mosman Park lies Camelot Cinema. Wednesdays are the best nights to go because live music – from the Perth Jazz Society, Fairbridge Festival Tasters and World Music nights – is played before the film. Highlights Critically acclaimed films like The Railway Man, August: Osage County and Nebraska. 16 Lochee Street, Mosman Park. Maltesers Moonlight Cinema Now in its 18th year, Moonlight Cinema is Kings Park's only outdoor cinema. If its central location doesn't woo you, then its lush setting in Synergy Parkland certainly will. No promises that the mozzies won't love the location as much as you do... Highlights Hollywood blockbusters like Anchorman 2, Thor: The Dark World and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Synergy Parkland, Kings Park.
Northbridge Piazza.
Northbridge Piazza Superscreen Pack a picnic, grab some local takeaway, and bag a beanbag to relax in front of Northbridge's superscreen. Gelati just across the road, family-friendly movies, and plenty of fresh air are sure to keep the kids still for at least an hour! Highlights Classics loved by young and old during the Free Flicks for Kids season, steamy Wednesday nights throughout the Summer Love season, and plenty of holiday cheer at Festive Flicks. Corner James and Lake streets, Northbridge. Rooftop Movies Boasting incredible city views, a bar, Dough pizza on delivery, and a retro popcorn machine, Rooftop Movies is an urban oasis six storeys above the hubbub of Northbridge. It's almost as much fun hanging out before the film as watching the movie itself. Best part? Even if the movie's dull, the skyline never is. Highlights The very family-friendly Bambi, and family-unfriendly Rocky Horror Picture Show. Top floor, Roe Street Carpark, Northbridge.
Luna Outdoor Cinema.
Luna Outdoor Cinema Funky and fun, Luna Outdoor Cinema is set in an intimate, tropical tree-lined courtyard, complete with bean bags and a fully stocked bar. If picnics aren't your style, opt for a platter, which comes heaped with cheese, dips and crispbreads. Highlights Arthouse films like Tim Winton's The Turning, and Muscle Shoals. 155 Oxford Street, Leederville. BamBOO Outdoor Cinema Since the Astor stopped showing films in 2008, Mount Lawley has been in dire need of a cinema. Answering the call is bamBOO Outdoor Cinema. The intimate amphitheatre space is decked out with cushions, bean bags, tables and chairs. Oh, and bamboo, of course. Enjoy drinks from Luxe Bar (whose cocktails are divine) and pizza from ACE next door. Highlights Two premieres: Spike Jonze's Her, and Dallas Buyers Club, starring Matthew McConaughey. 446 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley.
Kookaburra Outdoor Cinema.
Movies by Burswood Situated in the lush grass of Charles Paterson Park on the banks of the Swan River, this volunteer-run cinema is great for some family fun. Bean bags, a candy bar and a whole heap of kids' films – like The Lion King and Planes – seal the deal. Highlights The sing-along sessions. This year, it's Grease. Start warming up the windpipes. Off Resort Drive, Burswood Parklands, Burswood. Movies by Burswood – Curtin Date night? Forget packing your own picnic, and splurge on the premium option that includes a feast of pizza, garlic bread, drinks, cheese and ice-cream along with admission and bean-bag lounges for two ($89/couple). Then let the cuddling begin! Highlights Date-worthy films like The Princess Bride and James Gandolfini's second-to-last film, Enough Said. Henderson Court, on Hayman Road, Bentley. Kookaburra Outdoor Cinema Set in a bona fide state forest (take that, urban cinemas!) and rocking a retro feel, Kookaburra Outdoor Cinema is worth the 40km drive from town. Canvas-slung deckchairs and tables speckle the lawn, but there's more than enough room to bring your own chairs or picnic blanket. Highlights Drift, the epic surf movie starring WA's very own Myles Pollard and Sam Worthington. Allen Road, Mundaring Weir.
In the mood for a roadtrip? After 45 years, Busselton Drive-In Outdoor Cinema is still going strong with double movie screenings and a drive-in snack bar. Margaret River's Cape Mentelle Outdoor Cinema attracts over 15,000 people per season to the 100-strong movie screenings. Madfish Winery in Margaret River and Denmark is kicking off its second season this year. Sun Pictures in Broome is the oldest outdoor cinema in the world, a must-see for cinephiles.
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