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Apollo Bay
Independent
Summer only.
Ararat
Independent
Program Info: 1900 931 850
Screens twice weekly.
Ballarat Regent Multiplex
Village Anderson. 7 screens
46 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat 3350
Tel: 03 5331 1556 · Fax: 03 5333 3866
www.villagecinemas.com.au
Cinema 1 has THX certification with Dolby SR sound system. Also has a Gold Class
cinema. Ballarat Regent was previously the Hoyts flagship in that city. Hoyts
made the decision to sell off its country circuit to local entrepreneurs and the
theatre was purchased by Jack Anderson who partnered Village in the Village
Ballarat drive-in.
Ballarat Sturt
Various Independent
Ballarat Sturt, was originally The Brittania, The Odeon, then Vegas. Now has
occasional screenings.
Bairnsdale Cinema Centre
Independent. 3 screens
112 Macleod Street Bairnsdale 3875
Tel: 03 5152 6455 · Fax: 03 5152 2108
www.bairnsdalecinema.com.au
info@bairnsdalecinema.com.au
Bendigo Cinemas
Independent. 7 screens
107 Queen Street, Bendigo 3550
Tel: 03 5442 1666
cinema.bendigo.net.au
Castlemaine Theatre Royal
Independent
28 Hargreaves Street, Castlemaine 3450
Tel: 03 5472 1196
Find out about the community campaign to buy the Theatre Royal and keep it going
as a community centre. Check out the Theatre Royal Project website at www.castlemaine.au.com
Cerberus Southern Cross Cinema
Independent
Entrance to the Southern Cross Cinema is from South Beach Road, Cerberus Naval
Establishment, West Gate Entrance (opposite Davies Road). No day passes are
required and there is ample car parking.
Tel: 03 5950 7750
The Southern Cross Cinema at the Cerberus Naval Base on Western Port Bay
re-opened for public screenings in early April 1999. The refurbished cinema is
screening regularly on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings with a Saturday
Matinee screening fortnightly. The original cinema was a large two-level theatre
with seating for 1000 people and was one of the oldest of its style. The
refurbishment involved converting the downstairs stalls area to a studio which
is used by the naval band, and locating the cinema in the old upstairs balcony
section. The cinema is designed in a modern style and seats 270. The original
35mm projectors have been reconditioned and are still in use.
Charlton Rex
Independent
30-34 High Street, Charlton 3525
Tel: 03 5491 2333
The cinema is equipped with two DP70 Philips 70mm Todd-AO projectors, known as
the 'Rolls-Royce' of machines and built especially for Todd-AO in the 1950s.
Originally the Rex, then Roxy when part of the Nulty's circuit, later Cinema
Charlton. In 2001 new proprietors renamed the theatre 'The Rex' and installed a
new sound system. The two-level cinema seats 439.
Chiltern Star
Independent
Not a commercial cinema, screens infrequent 16mm films only. Chiltern Star is
one of the oldest remaining theatre buildings in the country. Dating back to
1867 (perhaps longer) it was built to house burlesque and theatrical programs in
the Gold Rush days, in the twentieth century the Star was used for motion
pictures.
Cobram Melba
Independent. 2 screens
19 Banks Street, Cobram 3644
Tel: 03 5872 2882
Cobram Melba sat vacant for many years and now presents programs a few nights
per week. Has competed with the Moonlight drive-in during its years but has
outlasted both.
Cowes Banfields Cinema Restaurant
Independent
Dromana Drive-in
Independent. 2 screens
Nepean Highway, Dromana 3936
Tel: 03 5987 2492 · Fax: 03 5982 2008
drivein.net.au
Dromana Drive-in also known as the Peninsula is a must for drive-in lovers with
a nostalgia projector display in the snack bar and a juke and pinball machines
as well. There are plans for screen number three.
Echuca Paramount Cinemas
Independent. 4 screens
393 High Street, Echuca 3564
Tel: 03 5482 3399 · Fax: 03 5482 1313 · Program Info: 03 5482 1166
cinemas@echucaparamount.com
www.echucaparamount.com
A new Art Deco style building housing 3 dedicated cinemas and a 4th auditorium
which doubles as a performing arts centre and cinema. The complex is fitted with
Kinoton 30E projectors, Cinemechanica platters, Dolby cp650 6 channel digital
processors, Camatic Odeon seats, and Klipsch Speakers with the main cinema
fitted with Klipsch 3 way speakers.
The previous cinema in Echuca was the Paramount Community Arts Centre (twin),
built on the site of the original Paramount Theatre (capacity almost 800 seats)
in Hare Street. There was also The Tivoli further down the street, now a Coles
carpark.
The best cinematic nostalgia in Echuca is the Sharps Penny Arcade Museum with
many old cinema artifacts on display.
Geelong
Village. 11 screens
194 Ryrie St, Geelong 3220
Tel: 03 5229 3006
www.villagecinemas.com.au
Geelong, until recently the only cinema in town, once competed with 8 indoor
theatres and two drive-ins. The magnificent original facade was revealed in the
1995 expansion to 11 screens. The only known theatre in the country to still
have a spectacular mercury arc rectifier in existance (no longer used). In
December 1999, two of the smaller cinemas - cinemas 2 and 3 - re-opened as Gold
Class Cinemas, after refitting. Originally built as The Geelong Theatre, later
called Ryrie and Odeon.
Reading. 8 screens
Town & Country Shopping World, corner Pioneer Road and Princes Highway,
Waurn Ponds 3216
Tel: 03 5241 6901 · Fax: 03 5241 6908
www.readingcinemas.com.au
Opened on 30th March 2000.
Halls Gap Memorial Hall
Independent
The Halls Gap Film Festival is conducted over a weekend in October each year by
a group from the Federation of Victorian Film Societies. Using a State
Government Arts grant, the Hall Committee recently equipped the hall with
'theatre red' curtains to black out the windows during screenings.
Hamilton Entertainment Centre
Independent
The Hamilton Cinema is located in the balcony of the former Town Hall. The
stalls area is now the council Library. Further down Grey Street, the former
Regent survives as a camping store, and the Village Drive-in on Cavendish Road
is now a woodyard and factory although the bio-box/cafe building survives.
Healesville Cinema
Horsham Centre Cinemas
Independent. 3 screens
41 Pynsent Street, Horsham 3400
Tel: 03 5382 1249 · Program Info: 1900 931 850
Horsham utilises the Cinemeccanica Victoria 10 projectors from the Melbourne
Chelsea that were later transferred to the Forum. These premiered Greater
Union's second 70mm house in the Country with Porgy and Bess in 1958.
Kyabram Plaza Theatre
Independent
www.vicmovies.com
users.river.net.au/~noonan/index.html
The Kyabram Plaza once seated almost 1000 patrons. Whilst still running films it
has been progressivly renovated and in recent years has added a large modern fly
tower for theatrical presentations.
Lake Epaloch Cinema
Independent
Lake Eppaloch Cinema is an open-air venue located in the caravan park which
screens during the summer holiday period.
Lakes Entrance
East Coast Cinemas
www.cinemaatthebowl.com.au/eastcst.htm
Summer only.
Leongatha Stadium Cinemas
Independent. 4 screens
4-18 Smith Street, Leongatha 3953
Tel: 03 5662 5762
info@cinemaleongatha.com.au
Opened 30th November 2000. Former basketball stadium building.
Lorne Theatre
Mountjoy Parade, Lorne 3232
Tel: 03 5289 1272
Mallacoota Inlet
East Coast Cinemas
Summer only.
Mansfield Cinema
Independent.
117 High Street, Mansfield 3722
Tel: 03 5775 2049 · Info: 03 5775 1351
www.mansfieldcinema.com.au
info@mansfieldcinema.com.au or melinda@mansfieldcinema.com.au .
Proprietors Brendan and Melinda Grant. The theatre is also used for live
productions and school functions.
Maryborough Paramount Cinema
Independent. 2 screens
www.vicmovies.com
The theatre has been refurbished and now has a second screen. The Maryborough
Paramount is a great old building in historic Maryborough. Closed for many years
and used as the assembly hall for the local high school, it was brought back to
life after the wind blew the drive-in screen down!
Mildura Cinema Deakin
5 screens
93 Deakin Avenue, Mildura 3500
Tel: 03 5023 4452
Mildura Deakin is equipped with Dolby Digital EX sound and is one of the
Victoria's premiere rural locations. Chris Mitchell runs a professional show
with high standards of presentation. Once home to the Astor, Ozone, Crossroads
drive-in and the 16th Street drive-in, the Deakin caters for all moviegoers on
hot nights these days.
Moorooduc TV World
Independent
Moorooduc Cool Stores, Corner Moorooduc Hwy and Eramosa Road, Moorooduc 3933 (on
the Mornington Peninsula) Victoria - Melways Ref: Map 106 A-9.
Tel: 03 5978 8766 · Mobile: 015 543 031
TV World (previously known as Studio City) is a TV, Movie & Pop Culture
Museum and includes a theatrette. Also home to film society 'Friends of TV
World'.
Morwell Mid Valley
Village. 8 screens
Mid Valley Shopping Centre, Princes Highway, Morwell 3840
Tel: 03 5134 3877 · Fax: 03 5135 4613
www.villagecinemas.com.au
Morwell 8 is a luxury complex with 8 excellent quality auditoriums. Digital
Sound and Kinoton projectors deliver the films to screen. The old Twin still
stands vacant behind the highway in Morwell.
Mount Buller
Village
Mt Bulla is a fully equipped theatre with stereo sound that runs throughout the
snow season and screens current attractions.
Myrtleford Star
Independent
Nhill Community Centre
Independent
Monthly screenings.
Ocean Grove
East Coast Cinemas
Summer only.
Portarlington
East Coast Cinemas
www.cinemaatthebowl.com.au/eastcst.htm
Summer only.
Portland Star
Independent
Julia Street, Portland
The cinema is now confined to the amazing art deco balcony. The stalls area is
now a printing shop. Portland also used to have the Coachline Drive-In, and the
Cema-Arts Centre shows occasional movies on 16mm.
Rosebud
Village. 6 screens
Rosebud Parade, Rosebud 3939
Tel: 03 5986 4130 · 03 5981 2555 · Program Info: 03 5981 2555
www.rosebudcinemas.com.au or www.villagecinemas.com.au
rcinema@pac.com.au
Includes 3 additional screens which opened on 20th November 1997. The Rosebud 6
is built only metres away from the original Rosebud cinema that still stands in
use as a business building. This place gets packed in summer.
Sale Cinemas
Independent. 3 screens
50-52 Cunninghame Street, Sale 3850
Tel: 03 5144 6633
For many years the Sale Twin (now triple) was the one of the only modern cinemas
in the Latrobe Valley (along with Morwell twin) all other venues were drive-ins.
Shepparton Capri Cinemas
Village. 4 screens
9-13 Stewart Street, Shepparton 3630
Tel: 03 5821 2100
www.villagecinemas.com.au
Previously an independent twin cinema, Village has taken over ownership of this
cinema complex and has added two screens which opened on 1st April 1999. This
building was originally the Lyric.
Shepparton The Twilight Drive In Theatre
Independent
Melbourne Road, Shepparton 3630
Program Info: 1902 241 049
www.vicmovies.com
The Shepparton drive-in is one of only 3 remaining picture paddocks in Victoria
and the only one with its original layout and configuration. A classic 1950's
playground remains in-tact beneath the screen and change-overs are performed
every night in the projection room. Screens all year except monthly in Winter.
Sorrento Athenaeum
Village. 3 screens
36 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento 3943
Tel: 03 5984 2903 · Program Info: 03 5984 0822
www.sorrentocinemas.com.au or www.villagecinemas.com.au
scinema@pac.com.au
The Sorrento Athenaeum is a quality conversion from a single screen auditorium
(still extant) to the addition of the two smaller houses to make the triple. The
longest running theatre under the Kirby or Village banner (since 1950s).
Stawell Town Hall
Independent
Sunbury 5 Anderson's Cinemas
Opened
September 2002
Swan Hill Oasis Swanpool Cinema Tidal River Torquay Wangaratta Cinema Centre Warragul Cinema Centre Warrnambool Capitol Cinema Centre Wonthaggi Cinema Woomelang Memorial Hall Yarram Regent
Albury Cinema Centre The New Empire Cinemas The Victorian Country Cinemas list was compiled by Gerry Kennedy, Martin
Powell and David Kilderry. Thanks also to Brian Mier, Steve McDonell, Jon and
Julie Medlin for their contributions.
Independent. 2 Screens
Campbell Street, Swan Hill 3585
Tel: 03 5032 3344
Swan Hill Oasis is built in the Oasis hotel development and was originally part
of the O'Hallorans chain.
Independent
Midland Hwy Swanpool 3673
Tel: 03 5768 2415
www.swanpoolcinema.com.au
If you ever wanted to know what 1950s moviegoing was like but have forgotten or
were not old enough, take a drive to Swanpool one weekend soon. Hundreds make
the trip every week to see this fascinating renovation of a classic small time
country cinema that once dotted the continent. The Swanpool screens classic
films from silents to recent releases. In 1999 they won the 'Best Australian
Independent Country Cinema Award' and were featured on the '7.30 Report' on ABC
Television.
East Coast Cinemas
www.cinemaatthebowl.com.au/eastcst.htm
One of the only outdoor cinemas still operating in Victoria. Dating from the
1950s and seating 300 back then it operates until Easter each year. Once 16mm
but now 35mm it is a pleasant place to see a film in Summer. I can well recall
the whip-cracking sound of the tarpaulin above the rear seats in strong winds
during the Blues Brothers! Screens in summer only.
East Coast Cinemas
www.cinemaatthebowl.com.au/eastcst.htm
A squash court that gets converted during the summer holiday season. The
original Torquay Cinema stands derelict in a side street.
Independent. 4 screens
Ovens Street (corner Reid St), Wangaratta 3677
Tel: 03 5721 5555
www.wangcinema.com.au or www.villagecinemas.com.au
wangcin@netc.net.au
Free parking at rear of complex. Disabled access to all cinemas. Includes a
games area.
Independent. 3 screens
Victoria Street, Warragul 3820
Tel: 03 5622 1399 · Program Info: 03 5622 2699
www.warragulcinemas.com.au
movies@dcsi.net.au
Warragul triple is constructed within the former Regent Theatre that once seated
860.
The Twilight drive-in took over the film showing for many years but now the
Warragul has returned.
Village. 3 screens
Kepler Street, Warrnambool 3280
Tel: 03 5562 2709
www.villagecinemas.com.au
Warrnambool is one of the few remaining Spanish style cinemas in Australia.
The
downstairs was converted to house two extra screens several years ago and is at
its busiest in summer.
Independent
Graham Street, Wonthaggi 3995
Tel: 03 5672 3593
Screens twice weekly.
Independent
Occasional screenings.
Independent
Established originally in 1930. Recently renovated. Weekly screenings.
New South Wales
Village. 6 screens
456 Dean Street, Albury NSW 2640
Tel: 02 6021 3044 · Fax: 02 6021 2942
www.villagecinemas.com.au
327 Bong Bong Street
Bowral NSW 2576
P. 02 4861 4676
F. 02 4861 6339
www.empirecinema.com.au
