This drive-in built on land purchased from the Council(Shire of Wongan-Ballidu) by Vic Basham, and operated by him from 1959 to 1962. Operated by N & P Gibellni(1963 to 1964). Operated by J. Basham(1965 to 1967). Operated by Rural District Pictures(1968 to circa 1970’s). 152 cars(1959 to 1970). 200 cars(1971 to 1984).
Operated by J. Tilka(1964 to early 1980’s). Operated by Steve
Martin(1987 to early 2000). Operated from 2008 to 2017 by volutees trained by Lindsay Morris.
Operated by Clarence(Paddy) Baker(1960 to 1980’s), the first of his chain of country drive-in’s. Also had a seating area for walk-ins(number of seats unknown?). Closed and reopened a few times during the 1970' and 1980’s. Brought and reopened in 1987 operated by John Marsden, and later leased to Denis Mckenna.
Closed in 1972 and reopened in 1973. Operated by Clarence(Paddy) Baker(1965 to 1972). Operated from 1973 to 1981 by Clarence(Paddy) Baker and Johm Marsden. Screen removed in 1987.
Opened in december 1998 as BBC Garden City with 16 screens and 3857 seats inside Garden City Shopping Centre. Renamed to Event Cinemas(date unknown?). Reduced to 13 screens(date unknown?). Number of seats now unknown?
Possibly built because of the large contingent of American troops in Townsville involved in World War 2. Possibly Australia’s first true drive-in theatre?
This drive-in built on land purchased from the Council(Shire of Wongan-Ballidu) by Vic Basham, and operated by him from 1959 to 1962. Operated by N & P Gibellni(1963 to 1964). Operated by J. Basham(1965 to 1967). Operated by Rural District Pictures(1968 to circa 1970’s). 152 cars(1959 to 1970). 200 cars(1971 to 1984).
Operated by Ace Theatres. The architect was W & G Leighton. The Avonway Drive-in was built on shire land(Shire of Northam). Closed in 1983.
This drive-in as built without a fence(unusual?).
The entrance road is still there too. Exit road unknown? The ticket booth is possibly demolished(or incorporated into the Orana Cinemas building?)?
The site(after closure) was brought to build a supermarket(Safeway), but seems never to have been built(so far).
Operated by J. Tilka(1964 to early 1980’s). Operated by Steve Martin(1987 to early 2000). Operated from 2008 to 2017 by volutees trained by Lindsay Morris.
75 cars. Operated by T.M. Tilka(1965 to 1970’s). Operated by John Marsden(1979 to 1980.
Operated by Clarence(Paddy) Baker(1960 to 1980’s), the first of his chain of country drive-in’s. Also had a seating area for walk-ins(number of seats unknown?). Closed and reopened a few times during the 1970' and 1980’s. Brought and reopened in 1987 operated by John Marsden, and later leased to Denis Mckenna.
The exhibitor was C.V. Couper. 200 cars. Closed in 1986.
Closed in 1972 and reopened in 1973. Operated by Clarence(Paddy) Baker(1965 to 1972). Operated from 1973 to 1981 by Clarence(Paddy) Baker and Johm Marsden. Screen removed in 1987.
Built by a group of farmers(names unknown?). Operated by Jack Tilka(1965 to 1970’s).
Opened in december 1998 as BBC Garden City with 16 screens and 3857 seats inside Garden City Shopping Centre. Renamed to Event Cinemas(date unknown?). Reduced to 13 screens(date unknown?). Number of seats now unknown?
Possibly opened in(1969, or 1970 or 1971?). Opened before the K-Mart department store opened next door in 1972. Closed in 1995.
Cinema 1 - 318 seats, cinema 2 - 318 seats, cinema 3 - 222 seats, cinema 4 - 222 seats, cinema 5 - 142 seats, cinema 6 - 142 seats.
Closed in early october 2020. Possibly for sale?
Opened on 16/10/1959. 750 cars. After closure turned into a go-kart track.
Possibly built because of the large contingent of American troops in Townsville involved in World War 2. Possibly Australia’s first true drive-in theatre?
Exhibitor was Tivoli Haymarket Theatres. The atchitect was Guy Crick & associates.
Opened on 26/7/1950 with “Mrs Mike”.
World’s first drive-in to work in the daylight?
Is the Ingalls family who operated the Time Theatre, related to Laura Ingalls Wilder, who was born in Pepin?
Opened with “Doctor Zhivago”.
Opened on 18/5/1951 with “April fool’s frolics” and “Americano”.
400 seas(1935 to 1940). 260 seats(1941 to 1965).
There is also a souvenir store(The Silver City Emporium).