1 / 3Light House Cinema, Pauatahanui
📍 Pāuatahanui, Wellington
Small boutique cinema alongside the Pauatahanui inlet with a café, outdoor waterfront seating and on-site parking. Screens mainstream and independent releases. Lounge-style interior. Wheelchair accessible throughout.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Drive out here for the full experience: café on the water, easy on-site parking and a cinema that feels like a well-designed living room rather than a commercial box. Toddlers are welcome. Snacks from the café are priced at a premium - some regulars bring their own from a supermarket nearby before arriving.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →712 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Honest feedback only
4 months ago
“Great place for date night. Honestly i would not bring a group of friends here, at least my friends, because we'll just be noisy before and after the movie lol - it will not go with the cosy and old-school moviehouse vibe. That said, I love the place - the cafe has a laid-back pace, lots of chairs to go relax on, and just a few cinemas with less than 50 pax per cinema. Staff are nice and helpful, and lots of parking. There are even old movie posters for sale. Oh and the family favourite - the prepacked ice cream on cone scoops! I got coffee today and just found out you can bring the cups (not paper) into the cinema. Saw other patrons with glasses of wine too :)”
Tam Gore
7 months ago
“Really amazing service!! The staff were very nice and helpful. The cinema itself was comfy and very comfortable. There’s also lots of space outside to eat and drink before seeing whatever film you’re watching. Such a beautiful location. Great experience all around .”
Paul Stevenson
8 months ago
“Stunning location, they have a cafe so you can go there for the views and even the walks. Being a movie theatre is a bonus. Service is very friendly and fast and they also have wheelchair accessible areas in the theatre.”
📊 Commonly mentioned in Google reviews
Based on Google review tagsComfy seats
69 reviews
Cafe
48 reviews
Couches
40 reviews
Cosy cinema
11 reviews
Boutique cinema
6 reviews
Overview
Light House Cinema Pauatahanui sits directly alongside the Pauatahanui inlet - a distinctly different experience from a mall multiplex. A café with outdoor seating overlooks the water, and regulars arrive early to sit outside before their session. The lounge-style interior draws visitors from Whitby and Paremata as much for the atmosphere as the programme. Parking is on-site and free. The cinema screens a mix of mainstream and independent releases. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible.
