Wallis Cinema at Mount Barker to get 100-room hotel, function centre, bowling, laser tag, mini golf in huge revamp

The owners of Mount Barker’s cinema have revealed massive plans for a hotel, rooftop function centre and huge entertainment options for local kids. See the plans.

An artist impression of the proposed 100-room hotel and function centre for Wallis Cinema and Auchendarroch House at Mount Barker.

A 100-room, four-star hotel and rooftop function centre are centrepieces to a massive redevelopment proposed for Mount Barker’s cinema.

A curved hotel would be built on the carpark at Wallis Cinema, with a flexible function centre for more than 300 people slated for the cinema’s roof, overlooking the nearby park and historic Auchendarroch House.

Two cinemas – numbers three and four – would be demolished under the plan and repurposed into two-storey entertainment venues offering duckpin bowling, laser tag, two nine-hole crazy minigolf courses, arcade games, with a food and drink area.

The entertainment areas would also boast sensory spaces catering to diverse audiences including young families and youth.

An artist impression of the proposed 100-room hotel for the Wallis Cinema and Auchendarroch House site at Mount Barker.

An artist impression of the proposed 100-room hotel for the Wallis Cinema and Auchendarroch House site at Mount Barker.

Meanwhile, cinema two would be upgraded to include a stage and sound system for live performances, concerts and theatre to complement Mount Barker’s cultural offerings.

Duckpin bowling is an older version that uses smaller, palm-sized balls and lighter pins on a string – and a shorter lane.

The cinema and Auchendarroch House – one of the Hills’ premier dining and wedding venues – are owned by the Wallis family, a South Australia entertainment institution.

In a statement, the family said it was well into the planning stages to create an “immersive entertainment destination”.

“(The) hotel facilities and increased function facilities promise to redefine entertainment in the

area and provide much needed accommodation for tourists and conference goers coming into the region,” they said.

The 100-room four-star hotel will enhance the region’s visitor economy, providing premium accommodation and linking to the Wallis Event Centre for weddings, conferences, and more, they said.

An artist impression of the proposed 100-room hotel for the Wallis Cinema and Auchendarroch House site at Mount Barker.

“We are thrilled to bring this project to life and offer something entirely new to the entertainment landscape,” director Deanna Wallis said.

“After over 20 years entertaining the Adelaide Hills, we are excited to be able to offer more for the youth and families in the area and also help bring increased visitation and tourists into Mt Barker.”

Wallis said it hoped the entertainment and function components would open in the last half of 2026, with the hotel set to open in 2027.

The plans will be submitted for final approvals in late January or early February.

Wallis Cinema is consulting with key stakeholders, including Mount Barker Council, relevant state and federal government personnel, Walter Brooke Architects, Forthwell and Savills, to ensure the project supports the broader economic and community development goals of the region.