Someone is definitely looking after this site, the grass was mowed in the most recent Google Earth image. There does appear to be some damage to the screen but overall it still looks in good shape.
The entrance/exit road still exits, the gates still exist – what looks like the base of the street sign still exists and also possibly the base or partial base of the screen structure.
It appears it actually wasn’t the snack bar but the house of the owner, built just behind the drive in. The photo above was taken from the position of the house.
Appears to be a vacant block now, ramp markings can be seen on Google Earth along with the foundations of the concession building and screen. Also the street sign may have still existed and was being used to advertise a local radio station up until 2015ish.
Vinnies left the building a few years ago, its now vacant again and up for rent. Here’s a listing with some inside shots, sadly it appears that the whole interior has been redesigned with little signs of the former theatre left:
I’ve been to this one a few times as its close to where I live, there used to be the original “Peninsula” sign on the back of one of the screens, I haven’t been down in a while to check if its still there. Also this drive-in has a bumper sticker discount deal where you get cheaper tickets if you display their sticker on your car. For years when it was a twin the slogan was “I DID it at Dromana twin drive-in” then when the 3rd screen was added they changed it to “I saw it at Dromana 3 drive-in”, haha.
Looking at the aerial photos on Google Maps, it looks like the site is being used for probably an agistment for animals. I’d say possibly horses, you can see its been divided into small paddocks with these little shelters all over.
December 2018 update: a few more large factory buildings have been built on the site however amazingly the concession building, ticket box and SCREEN all still stand!
If you have a look at Google street view and go down Motavu Drive, a house at number 10 looks like it might be the old concession building? also take a look almost opposite on the other side of the street, looks like bases of the speaker posts were saved and put together?
This site actually still exists, its at the intersection of Huddlestone Rd and Drive-In Rd. It looks like a private residence now, the concession building is definitely still there – probably turned into a house. The screen was also still there in 2008 on Google Street View but gone in 2015. Gates may also still exist?
Was also called Drive-In Orchard and had trees planted on the ramps in perfect formation, the ticket box and drive ways are visible on 2008 Google Street View.
Approximate address is 156 Old Gunnedah Road, the only clues are the shape of the site and the gates were still there in 2008 on Google street view. The concession building/bio box may still exist? The site is now used by Nutramix, a Stockfeed company.
Was opened by Ted Frazer and operated by him for its entire life, the name comes from Ted’s daughter Gay who passed away aged 2. Lots of info on this page:
The snack-bar actually sat there until mid 2005.
Someone is definitely looking after this site, the grass was mowed in the most recent Google Earth image. There does appear to be some damage to the screen but overall it still looks in good shape.
Buildings demolished, site is completely overgrown – you can just make out some ramps and the trees have grown in the lines of the ramps.
The entrance/exit road still exits, the gates still exist – what looks like the base of the street sign still exists and also possibly the base or partial base of the screen structure.
From historical imagery it appears the building that still exists in the lower south west corner could be original, maybe the ticket box building?
Snack bar building still appears to exist.
It appears it actually wasn’t the snack bar but the house of the owner, built just behind the drive in. The photo above was taken from the position of the house.
Concession building or projection building was kept along with the original entry (or exit?) road.
Appears to be a vacant block now, ramp markings can be seen on Google Earth along with the foundations of the concession building and screen. Also the street sign may have still existed and was being used to advertise a local radio station up until 2015ish.
The original entrance drive way in the only part left.
Vinnies left the building a few years ago, its now vacant again and up for rent. Here’s a listing with some inside shots, sadly it appears that the whole interior has been redesigned with little signs of the former theatre left:
https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-showrooms+bulky+goods-vic-edithvale-503160742
the 4th screen looks a lot smaller than the others
I’ve been to this one a few times as its close to where I live, there used to be the original “Peninsula” sign on the back of one of the screens, I haven’t been down in a while to check if its still there. Also this drive-in has a bumper sticker discount deal where you get cheaper tickets if you display their sticker on your car. For years when it was a twin the slogan was “I DID it at Dromana twin drive-in” then when the 3rd screen was added they changed it to “I saw it at Dromana 3 drive-in”, haha.
the snack bar is definitely still there, and part of the exit road and gates are still there.
Looking at the aerial photos on Google Maps, it looks like the site is being used for probably an agistment for animals. I’d say possibly horses, you can see its been divided into small paddocks with these little shelters all over.
December 2018 update: a few more large factory buildings have been built on the site however amazingly the concession building, ticket box and SCREEN all still stand!
If you have a look at Google street view and go down Motavu Drive, a house at number 10 looks like it might be the old concession building? also take a look almost opposite on the other side of the street, looks like bases of the speaker posts were saved and put together?
The estate also has streets named after Hollywood golden age actors like Sellers, Cagney, Hayworth etc.
This site actually still exists, its at the intersection of Huddlestone Rd and Drive-In Rd. It looks like a private residence now, the concession building is definitely still there – probably turned into a house. The screen was also still there in 2008 on Google Street View but gone in 2015. Gates may also still exist?
Was also called Drive-In Orchard and had trees planted on the ramps in perfect formation, the ticket box and drive ways are visible on 2008 Google Street View.
Approximate address is 156 Old Gunnedah Road, the only clues are the shape of the site and the gates were still there in 2008 on Google street view. The concession building/bio box may still exist? The site is now used by Nutramix, a Stockfeed company.
The remains of the street sign can be seen on the 2009 Google st view, along with the entry/exit gates. The site is now houses.
Was opened by Ted Frazer and operated by him for its entire life, the name comes from Ted’s daughter Gay who passed away aged 2. Lots of info on this page:
https://camdenhistorynotes.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/narellan-gayline-drive-in-theatre/
2019 update: now appears to be sub-divided with 3 houses built so far on the site.
All that’s left is the exit road driveway (and gate?), the rest of the site is completely demolished.