This article is from Melbourne WeekendNotes for Thursday the 23rd of April 2009

There used to be nearly 20, for years there were two, now only one remains.

Drive-In Cinemas in Melbourne are officially an endangered species, with the last remnant of a bygone era of entertainament to be found in Coburg, and run by Village Cinemas.

Well actually I'm fibbing a little. There is also a the Luna Drive In in Dandenong which is the biggest drive-in in the southern hemisphere. However Luna in is about 35km out of town so I'm not sure it counts.

Also the Coburg cinema is meant to have the widest screen in the southern hempisphere. So take that Luna. It also has a cool 50's style diner to serve up chips and treats.

Just how long Village will be able to resist the great wads of cash on offer from developers (which saw the demise of previous outdoor cinemas) in anyone's guess.

To see what's on at the moment go here.

Drive-in cinemas have many advantages. Sit in your own comfy seat. Control the temperature (cinemas are always so cold!). No listening to the inane comments of chattering tweens. If you are hit in the back of the head with a Jaffa, you should be able to figure out who threw it.

The best thing about Drive-in cinemas however is just the simple novelty of it.

It's a wonder they are not more popular. I guess no matter how many cars you pack into a drive-in you still won't make as much money as a regular cinema on the same spot which can squash people in like sardines. Chances are the Coburg drive-in will soon shake to the sound of bulldozers as well.


Why? Experience the fun of the drive-in before they are no more.