Adelaide’s Moonlight Cinema – Review
Watch a movie under the stars this summer with your family, friends, partner, or dog!
by Brooke Hendry
Have you been wanting to do something a bit different with the kids during the Adelaide school holidays?
How about watching a movie under the stars?
We’ve recently been to check out the Moonlight Cinema, in the Adelaide Botanic Park, as a family and we absolutely loved it.
It’s a great night out for the family, for a group of friends, or for a date night – you can even bring your dog to watch the movie with you!
Pack a picnic and drinks (you’re welcome to bring your own, including alcohol) there’s also plenty of options for food and drink purchases inside, and head on in. The gates open at 7 pm with the movie starting at sundown (around 9 pm).
There’s three ticket options available:
GOLD GRASS
Just like at the movies, Gold Grass is the Gold Class – the best seats in the house with reserved bean beds and wait service, so you don’t need to move a muscle.
The Connoisseur Lounge
Directly behind the Gold Grass section is the Connoisseur Lounge which includes a reserved bean bed and a Connoisseur ice cream per ticket. There’s no wait service here but if you’re happy to get up then you can still visit the fully licensed bar and food truck – or snack on your homemade picnic, for your movie munchies.
General Admission
The general admission ticket does not include a reserved bean bed but you’re more than welcome to bring a picnic rug, pillows, blankets, bean bags or low beach chairs. You can also hire bean beds on the night for $9 each (numbers may be limited).
Having never been before, and not really knowing what to expect, we got there early when the gates opened – this is a good idea if you have the General Admission tickets as it gives you more of a choice for where you’d like to sit.
There was still over an hour to wait before the film started but that was no problem. It gave us time to hoe into the snacks we’d brought from home and get nice and settled in while it was still light outside.
The kids were also happy as there was heaps of room for them to run around while they made other friends and wore off their excess energy before the film started.
The selection of food and drinks for purchase at the food vans and licensed bar (including cocktails) was pretty good and we loved that there was as an overall fun vibe buzzing about – and no, it wasn’t just the Adelaide mozzies! (Side note – make sure you bring Aerogard).
It gets a bit chilly…
Even though it was a hot day, it did get quite cold once the sun went down. So dress warm, or bring that jumper you might be umming and erring over! We also brought some blankets and pillows with us, which made it extra cosy.
At our viewing we watched The Addams Family. Lying there outside with my own kooky family really was a fun experience. It was pretty cool watching this type of movie with the Parkland bats flying overhead, it certainly added to the ambience (don’t worry, they never came close) and the kids loved pointing them out ….again, and again, and again, and again – until it got dark enough that we couldn’t see them anymore.
The movie finished around 11 pm, which is a bit late for the young ones but it’s not like they’ve got school any time soon! Of course, ours instantly fell asleep on the drive home.
Another point to note: It was quite dark walking back to our car, I used my phone torch to lead our way, but thought it would have been fun to also bring a torch for the kids.
How great is it that you can take your dog!
I had never thought of taking my dog to a movie before…but what a great idea!
I don’t recall seeing any dogs on the night, but they are welcome at the Moonlight Cinema (within all sections but there are certain requirements, which can be found here).
There was also a cute display offering free BlackHawk treat samples for the fur babies.
Grab a free Lindt chocolate to win an upgrade to the best seat in the house…
Upon entry you’re also given the chance to win an upgrade to the Lindor Bliss Suite.
All you need to do is enjoy a complimentary Lindor chocolate ball, and if you discover the ‘Golden Ball’ you win!
The Lindor Bliss Suite consisted of a very comfy looking day bed complete with cushions and blankets. This seat can’t be purchased and every ticket holder has a chance to win.
I must say, it did look like a comfy spot to enjoy the screening…but even though we didn’t win, we still got a free choccie and, to me, that’s a win in itself!
The Adelaide Moonlight Cinema – it’s a great night out
All in all, we loved going to the Moonlight Cinema for a fun family night out to see a movie under the stars, and we’ll definitely go back again.
Even though there were lots of children, the movie was quite loud and blocked out all background noise (good to know for those couples on a romantic date night).
They’ve got a great selection of movies playing over the Summer Season (finishing up on 16 Feb 2020), each night from Tuesday-Sunday. New releases, old favourites and family viewing – find out more here.
The Prices
(It’s the same for all, no reduced pricing for children or concession holders):
General Admission tickets – $15
The Connoisseur Lounge – $30
Gold Grass – $35
Some movie screenings offer Family tickets (GA) for $50
Moonlight Cinema is run through Event Cinemas and you can use your Cinebuzz rewards to receive a small discount.
What we like about the Moonlight Cinema in Adelaide:
- Very family friendly
- It’s a fun and different way to go to the movies
- You can bring your own food and drinks
- You can get super cosy and bring your own blankets and pillows
- The different seating options available
- That dogs are welcome to join you
- Friendly and helpful staff
- You can purchase tickets at the door, but best to book online to ensure your spot
Things to consider:
- Moonlight Cinema is a cashless venue so make sure to bring your card if you wish to purchase any food or drinks
- It is a late movie if you have young kids – but definitely great for a special treat
- Bring Aerogard if you’re a mozzie magnet
- Have a torch handy to get back to your car
- If in GA it’s good to arrive early to get a great spot on the lawn
- If you bring a full-height chair, or are in a wheelchair you will need to sit behind all other patrons to not obstruct viewing
- You can find all FAQ’s on the Moonlight Cinema site
Location:
Adelaide’s Moonlight Cinema is located at Botanic Park (adjacent to Adelaide Botanic Garden), Hackney Road, Adelaide. Enter the cinema via Plane Tree Drive.
Click here for all the Best Playgrounds for Toddlers
See our Top Parks & Playgrounds Around Adelaide here.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Moonlight Cinema website.
What: Moonlight Cinema Adelaide Review
When: December to February (Tue-Sun nights)
Where: Botanic Park, Hackney Road, Adelaide
Wh0: Everyone
All photos by Brooke Hendry for Play & Go Adelaide #moonlightcinema
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
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