Australia’s five best drive-in cinemas
Australia’s first drive-in, the Starlight in Burwood, Melbourne opened in 1954 and around 330 followed Australia-wide. Most have closed, but there are still a few that live on. Here are five of our faves.It’s probably no coincidence that drive-ins were all the rage from the 1950s onwards. Australians wanted to do everything in their new cars (mainly Holdens, of course) and if you could take the family, clip a speaker on the FJ’s window and watch an Elvis flick without leaving the car, well, that was modern living.
Victoria
Dromana 3 Drive-In, 133 Nepean Highway, Dromana
Melbourne has three operating drive-ins but Dromana has to be the most picturesque. The cinema is situated on the Mornington Peninsula where thousands flock to spend quality beach time, and on a warm, clear evening the atmosphere among paddocks and vineyards is something really quite special.
There are two screens, plus walk-in facilities (hire deckchairs for a few bucks, but you’ll need your own FM radio), a 1950s themed diner and space for hundreds of cars. It’s been there since 1961 and is quite rightly a local institution.
New South Wales
Skyline Drive-In, Cricketers Arms Road, Blacktown
Sydney is a little light on drive-ins, but thankfully Skyline is one of the best due to its lush tropical gardens, lawns and excellent diner with burgers that make it worth paying the $25 ticket price for a car, driver and one passenger.
Another dinner option before the show is the Atura Hotel next door. The drive-in is operated by Greater Union so you can watch the latest releases on its two screens and with a 700 car capacity, there’s a carnival-like atmosphere most nights.
Queensland
Stardust Drive-In Theatre, 27 Kilrie Road, Ayr
Where is Ayr, you ask? It’s located between Bowen and Townsville in Queensland’s tropical far north. The town may only have 10,000 inhabitants but they love their drive-in.
The popular attraction is run by the Jerkic family who brings Hollywood to FNQ with fully digital projectors, the choice of either a traditional drive-in or an indoor cinema (it tends to rain a bit up there) with low prices and excellent burgers.
Western Australia
Dongara Drive-In, Ridley Street, Dongara
Only in Western Australia could a beachside destination be described as a “short 3.5-hour drive” (from Perth, in this case) but the pristine water and other attractions of the Dongara-Port Denison area north of Perth make the trip worthwhile -- and so does the drive-in.
Going strong since 1966, it now operates mainly in the warmer months on Saturday nights. It’s a local treat and enthusiastically run as a not-for-profit. Top tip: make sure you order a Surf Club Special burger with beetroot and pineapple.
South Australia
Coober Pedy Drive-In, Umoona Road, Coober Pedy
Times may have changed since the mid-1960s when opal miners turned up to watch a movie with a work truck full of gelignite and an Esky full of West End (prudently, explosives were quickly banned), but this remains one of Australia’s quirkiest drive-ins.
Why? Well, because it’s in Coober Pedy a town famous for underground houses and shops. The cinema itself is left out in the open, which in outback Australia means rocks, red dirt and open space. Good weather is guaranteed, walk-ins are available and the canteen is well stocked. Just leave the fireworks at home.
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