On February 18 1954, an advertisement appeared in the Melbourne Sun; "Opening tonight at 6:30 Australia's first drive-in theater". The Skyline in Burwood, a Melbourne suburb, became the first of more than 330 drive-ins that were built across Australia and changed the way Australians saw movies forever.

Welcome to the Drive-ins Downunder web site - a tribute to the drive-in theaters of Australia and the world.

Whilst drive-ins have closed recently; Bass Hill in Sydney, others add screens like Wonga Triple and rumours persist of new drive-ins too. Thanks to all of those contributors of photos and info; it comes in faster than I can update the site!

Updates to the Burwood page and the Lunar Dandenong page reflect some major interviews and research by this writer, see them in the Victorian section under the Australian drive-ins tab in the top left of this page. You can also visit the Lunar drive-ins home on the web for all of the session details at www.lunardrive-in.com.au Add it to your favourites right away. If you love them, support them!

If you want to create your own drive-in at home in the yard check out Super 8 Centre. It sells the last of the old drive-in speakers! These were once common, but when these are gone that is it.

One of Hollywoods biggest comedy names of the 1920's was Snub Pollard. His hilarious and inventive one and two reel comedy shorts were popular all over the world. He was born right here in Melbourne, Australia. If you have any old films, photos, cuttings or information, I am always buying items to add to my collection.

David Kilderry 2008

The information, text and photos contained in this site remain the property of Drive-ins Downunder and the Curtis James Collection unless specified otherwise.

If you wish to copy or publish content from this site, link to this site or seek further information on drive-in theaters, please email Buddy. All photos and information contributed to this site will be gratefully acknowledged.