Retro films to take centre stage at final screenings for Lunar Drive-In, Dandenong
The closing credits are about to roll on Australia’s biggest and oldest drive-in. See how you can be part of the send off.
South East
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All the merch has sold out and tickets for the final screenings are almost gone as Australia’s biggest drive in prepares to close.
Dandenong’s Lunar Drive In will bring down the curtain on July 9 after the 59,202 sqm site at 115 South Gippsland Highway was bought by Melbourne developers Pellicano in December last year.
The developer is yet to reveal its plans for the site.
The Trash and Treasure Market, which has operated on the site for 40 years, was also set to close with its last day scheduled for June 25.
Matt Kilderry, who owns Lunar Drive-In with brother David, said the drive-in had “one of its busiest weekends ever” after announcing when it would close.
“We sold out of all of our Lunar beanies and T-shirts last weekend and are trying to get more printed in time for the final screenings,” he said.
Tickets for the final weekend were also selling fast as movie buffs rushed to see one more blockbuster at the iconic venue.
The final weekend will feature the latest Indiana Jones movie but it was the retro classics that had attracted the most interest.
“We’re showing Austin Powers in Goldmember, which was the first film screened when we reopened the drive in 2002, on the last night and there’s not many tickets left for that,” Mr Kilderry said.
“Grease, our most popular film, is also being screened that last weekend along with another favourite Back to the Future.”
Dirty Dancing and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory were also being screened on the final weekend.
“We’ll add more in the lead up,” Mr Kilderry said.
The demand for tickets was “bitter sweet” as the brothers looked forward to weekends off for the first time in two decades.
They plan to take a break before making any plans for the future.
“I can say I’ll be watching Collingwood play without any interruptions and spending more time with my children, but that’s as far as I’ve got,” Mr Kilderry said.
Pellicano, established by brothers Frank and Nunzio Pellicano, have been developing in the Dandenong area for more than 30 years.
The business owns and manages 180 properties and counts about $4b of completed development across residential, retail, commercial and industrial spaces.
Pellicano were contacted for comment.
