Drive-in theatre opens in Brisbane carpark

Load up your car with blankets and friends – a drive-in theatre has opened in a Brisbane carpark, screening two movies every Friday and Saturday night.

An old school drive-in theatre has popped up in a Brisbane carpark impacted by coronavirus restrictions.

Park-In Pictures has opened at Andrews Airport Parking at Hendra, offering two films every Friday and Saturday night on a 10 metre wide screen.

There’s room for 75 vehicles, all with 1.5 metre distancing, and food and drinks “at old school prices” can be ordered online and delivered direct to your car window.

Steve Gilbert at Andrews Airport Parking, Hendra, where he has set up a drive-in theatre. Picture: Park-In Pictures

There are two established drive-ins close to Brisbane: Yatala Drive-In at Stapylton (Gold Coast) and Tivoli Drive-In Theatre at Chuwar (Ipswich). Both stopped showing films at the end of March, but Yatala reopened on May 2 and Tivoli on May 23.

Park-In Pictures organiser Steve Gilbert, director of Get Parked, said he believed there was a genuine desire for people to see movies in this format.

RELATED STORIES:

Yatala Drive-In re-opens with strict social distancing rules

Where you can see first live drive-in concert

“The experience and the feedback we’ve had so far has been so positive,” Mr Gilbert said.

“Many people have said ‘you’ve brought back the old school drive-in experience’. They’ve loved it.

“Whether it’s sustainable will depend on how many people continue to come.”

A drive-in theatre has been established at Andrews Airport Parking, Hendra. Picture: Park-In Pictures

Mr Gilbert said coronavirus had breathed new life into an old idea of his for a drive-in theatre in Brisbane.

“Previously I had an idea to do this in more of a private setting,” he said.

“We (Get Parked) have about 30-odd sites around the city and I thought of having movies in carparks but more boutique, having private viewing sessions.

“I liked the idea but discovered it would be difficult to execute. Then the landscape changed … and I reimagined the idea.

MORE NORTH BRISBANE NEWS:

Meet the 11yo rookie who races motorbikes at 165km/h

Eagle St fine diners closed in CBD ghost town

Toys and safety cones scattered at bridge accident site

“Pre COVID I wouldn’t have gone out and done this. But I knew the demand would be there and it would give people a new experience.”

Mr Gilbert said they sold out three of the four sessions on the opening weekend (May 15 and 16) “and I think this weekend will be the same”.

A family-friendly film will screen just before 6pm followed by “one to appeal to everyone” about 8.30pm.

The cost is $33 per car for up to six people; extra people are $6 each.

A drive-in theatre has been set up at Andrews Airport Parking, Hendra. Picture: Park-In Pictures

Although the screen is inflatable, organisers will consider a fixed screen if the drive-in becomes sustainable in the long term.

“Andrews Airport Parking has given us permission to use this space. Until we have international and domestic travel back to what it was, demand for airport parking is not enough to get this venue reactivated for parking at the moment,” Mr Gilbert said.

This week’s films, to screen at 490 Nudgee Rd, Hendra are:

■ Friday, May 29 – Jumanji: The Next Level at 5.45pm and Spider-Man: Far From Home at 8.30pm

■ Saturday, May 30: Jumanji: The Next Level at 5.45pm and Zombieland: Double Tap at 8.30pm.

Movies are confirmed for this weekend but are subject to change. For details and to book go to the Park-In Pictures website.