I'm a fan!
For as long as I could remember, I always wanted to go to a drive in. All the ones in the States either had gone out of business or were converted to shopping centres and vehicle garages (boo-hiss). Who knew that I had to travel half way across the world to go to my first drive in.
Parking is informal. You drive into the area, pay at a booth, then cut a right into various lanes (from furthest to closest) to the screen. Each lane turns into the un-marked parking spaces so pick a good one. If it gets busy (as it does on some weekends), you may make due with the spot you've chosen. And as a note: get there early for the second/late showing so you don't have to navigate in the dark to find parking, whilst blinding viewers with your headlight.
There are 2 showings. The more family-friendly movies are shown during the first session and the more 'adult' movies for the later/second showing. The beginning times vary depending on the season/month but generally it's a 4 or 6 pm start. Check out their site for details:
http://www.tivolidrivein.com.au/Drive-In%20Programmes
I will say that you may want to prepare yourselves if you've never been there. Like with camping, many AU locals take 'going to the movies' to a whole new level (in my book). I've seen families rock up with their giant industrial strength picnic mats, chairs, esky, portable crib and set up what looks like a temporary living space for the next couple of hours. I've even seen a family lay out a double-size mattress for a row of kids to comfortably watch the show. But hey, good on you for coming prepared!
Me and the mrs. on the other hand like to keep it simple: 2 chairs, small esky, snacks and drinks. I also bring a cheap-o portable AM/FM radio as that's how you'll hear the movie's audio. Our car's speakers are crap, hence the radio. If you prefer, you can always head into the eating area as they have speakers and seating if you don't want to sit in the parking area.
You can of course get food, snacks and drinks at the cafe. Toward the second showing, they will run out of certain food at times. And if you're like me, the food may a bit too oily or salty but it's movie food so don't expect gourmet quality.
PROS:
Cheap @ $10/vehicle.
Great date night.
Not too formal.
CONS:
You need a radio to pick up the audio. I typically bring my portable radio since my car's speakers are crap. If you walk around, you'll see they used to have ground speakers at one time, which in my mind, would've made the 'drive in movie' experience much more authentic.
Some foods at the cafe may be too salty or oily for some.
Parking and exiting can be chaotic.
*Not sure if it's a Pro or Con, but some times when the cafe has leftover food, they go around passing it out - sometimes it's free and sometimes they try to make some money off of it.
Go check out the Tivoli Drive in. Great place to take a date or family with kids. I highly recommend and will be going back many more times. read more