Yatala Drive In movies, Gold Coast: How does this outdoor cinema work?
The Yatala Drive In movies, halfway between Brisbane and Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, shows movies on a big screen to three fields of cars. Book online, pay by the car load, and listen to the movie through your car radio.
The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t helped many, but it has brought about a renaissance for drive in cinemas. With conventional cinemas being closed around the world, the idea of coming along to watch a film in your car has become suddenly rather popular.
Queensland’s Yatala Drive In is one that has embraced the popularity boost. This drive in cinema on the Gold Coast shows films over three separate fields. Spaces are allocated for cars, but if you want to sit on outdoor chairs next to the car or on the grass near the big screen, that’s OK too.
Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay
The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.
- Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
- Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
- Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
- Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
- Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
- Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.
Yatala Drive In movies: Gold Coast or Brisbane?
The Yatala Drive In movies is only just on the Gold Coast. Realistically, it’s in that strange buffer zone between Brisbane and the Gold Coast that doesn’t truly belong to either city. Just off the M1, the Yatala Drive In is a half hour drive from Brisbane or 35 minute drive from the Gold Coast.
An FM radio is required to listen to the sound for the Yatala Drive In movies. Either use the one in your car, or bring a portable radio with you. Digital radio and phone streaming won’t work – this is done the old-fashioned way.
Food at the Yatala Drive In cinema
To get into the throwback vibe, the Yatala Drive In Snack Bar is modelled on a 1950s American diner. It is decorated with Cadillac couches, old movie posters and life-size statues of James Dean, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. The menu leans heavily on old classics – hot dogs, popcorn and burgers.
If you’re going to sit outside your car at the Yatala Drive In, you’re asked to put chairs in front of the vehicle rather than to the side of it.
Tickets for the Yatala Drive In can be booked online, and are charged by the car load. The tickets cost $35 for a carload of up to six people. Movie lists and session times can be found at the Five Star Cinemas website. Other cinemas operating on a similar model include Western Sydney’s Blacktown Drive In.
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