Drive in cinema coming to the Hobart Regatta Grounds this weekend

A local showground will be transformed into an outdoor cinema for three nights this weekend. SEE WHAT’S ON + HOW TO ATTEND >>

Judy Augustine and Rob Inglis

3 min read

April 1, 2022 - 7:07AM

Tasmania

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The Hobart Regatta Grounds will be transformed into an outdoor cinema for three nights, with the council providing the free family friendly events.

One film will be screened each night over, with Strictly Ballroom playing on Friday night, Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon playing on Saturday and Edward Scissorhands showing on Sunday.

“This is a great opportunity to get your family or friends together and drive in, pull up, and sit back to enjoy a movie in our great Hobart outdoors,” Hobart Lord mayor Anna Reynolds said.

Drive-in Movie

“The movie night is one part of the out in the open program, which is encouraging people to get involved in outdoor activities that bring our community together in a Covid-safe way.”

Gates open at 6.30pm on Friday and Saturday for a 7:30 start and 5:30 on Sunday for a 6:30 start.

The council said the drive ins are free to attend but in terms of spots, it’s first in, best dressed.

How to get vouchers for your favourite cafes, restaurants and bars

A popular voucher program encouraging people to support Hobart’s cafes, restaurants and bars has returned, with more than 40 businesses signing up to participate.

Kicking off today at 10am, Hobart City Council’s $55,000 Passport to Hobart scheme allows both locals and visitors who spend $20 or more at participating businesses to scan a QR code and collect a stamp on their ‘passport’ via an app called Stamp Me.

Once a person has collected three stamps, they can exchange them for a $20 voucher that can be redeemed at any of the participating venues, including such mainstays of the Hobart hospitality scene as Bar Wa Izakaya, Fish Frenzy, and Pigeon Hole Cafe.

What’s more, anyone who downloads the Stamp Me app and activates their account will receive a $10 welcome voucher to be spent at any of the eligible venues.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said there was still time for businesses to sign up to Passport to Hobart.

“We expect a few more to sign on in the coming days,” she said.

“Using the passport is a great way to get out and support our hospitality venues, and explore the many great food and beverage options that exist here in Hobart.”

Next Door Deluxe Coffee co-owner Brendan Marshall at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Next Door Deluxe Coffee co-owner Brendan Marshall said he was thrilled to be taking part in the program, describing it as a “great idea”.

“We’re new to the business and we just wanted to spread our reach with our customers and (encourage) them to take the opportunity to try us and all the other coffee shops around here,” Mr Marshall, whose cafe is located on Collins St, said.

“(Passport to Hobart is) a great idea just to get people involved and into the city. Because we’ve noticed the slowdown of people around town and different things, obviously.

“Anything we can do to get people coming into town and spending their money, that’s great.”

Passport to Hobart will wrap up on Sunday, May 8 at 11.59pm or when the total amount of vouchers is exhausted.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The first iteration of the program ran for seven weeks from January last year. The council said about 2300 stamps were collected in that time and more than $90,000 in local spending was generated.

For the latest version of the scheme, the council has allocated $25,000 for 2500 welcome vouchers and $30,000 for 1500 reward vouchers.