We love the cushy comforts of the modern megaplex but, once in a while in good weather, the opportunity to enjoy a flic outdoors without the nuisance of full-blast air con is too good to miss. With that, we present the best drive-ins and outdoor cinemas in Asia Pacific.

Al fresco cinema in Brisbane – Photo credit

Hong Kong Drive In
Austin Road, 8, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s first and only drive-in covers 18,580 square metres, has two 82-by-46 foot screens, 40 American classic cars by reservation, capacity for 100 other cars, 10 retrofit freight container VIP suites, snack bar with free delivery and a state-of-the-art audio system.

Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong Hotel

Hong Kong City Guide

Moonlight Cinema, Brisbane
New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, Brisbane, QLD

Moonlight Cinemas operates in 6 spots Down Under throughout parts of the year. The Brisbane locale affords spectacular panoramas of the CBD skyline and screens blockbusters, cult hits and classics in December, January and February.

Where to stay: Spicers Balfour Hotel Brisbane

Brisbane City Guide

Greater Union Blacktown Drive-In
Cricketers Arms Road, Blacktown, NSW

Blacktown’s retro drive-in offers double features and old-school snack bar ambiance. All in all, well worth the 40 minute drive from Sydney’s CBD.

Where to stay: Mercure Sydney Parramatta Hotel

Sydney Blacktown City Guide

Namsan Drive-in Theatre
San 5-2 Jangchung-dong 2ga, Seoul, South Korea

Seoul’s sole drive-in sports a massive screen (presumably from Samsung or LG) and accommodates up to 250 vehicles.

Where to stay: Lotte Hotel Seoul

Seoul City Guide

Moonlight Cinema, Melbourne
Central Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, VIC

Moonlight Cinema’s Melbourne locale makes brilliant use of the city’s world-class botanic gardens from December to late March.

Where to stay: The Albany

Melbourne City Guide

St.George OpenAir Cinema
Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney, NSW

Sydney’s own resplendent Royal Botanic Gardens screens films south of Mrs Macquarie’s Chair from January 10 to February 16 (2013 season).

Where to stay: Sir Stamford At Circular Quay Sydney Hotel

Sydney City Guide

Moonlight Cinema, Perth
Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Fraser Avenue, West Perth, WA

The capital of Western Australia’s Moonlight Cinema is yet another parkland and botanic gardens staple, from mid-December through to the end of March.

Where to stay: Medina Grand Perth

Perth City Guide

Sunset Drive In Cinema
Drive In Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

The most significant al fresco showcase for Bollywood in all of India graces the western edge of Gujurat’s massive capital metropolis.

Where to stay: Royal Orchid Central Ahmedabad Hotel

Ahmedabad City Guide

Nai Pi Lae Lagoon Cinema
Ko Kudu Noi, Thailand

Open-air cinema on water? Why not? The organisers behind Thailand’s annual Film on the Rocks Yao Noi Festival made it happen in March 2012, off the island of Kudu Noi, close to Phuket.

Where to stay: Koyao Island Resort Phuket

Phuket Guide

TomTom Outdoor Cinema
Red Barn, Remarkables Park, Frankton, New Zealand

Queenstown and Wanaka’s Summerdaze Festival jumpstarts the new year with a bang and screens flics with a gem of a backdrop in the Remarkables range.

Where to stay: The Dairy Private Luxury Hotel Queenstown

Queenstown City Guide

St Kilda Openair Cinema
South Beach Reserve, Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda, VIC

Outdoor cinema beach-side is a summer recipe for success in sublime St Kilda, Melbourne.

Where to stay: Novotel Melbourne St Kilda

Melbourne St Kilda City Guide