Koorda Drive-In - WA

Koorda Drive-In Outdoor Cinema was built in the 1965. The Koorda Drive-In was one of many built in the late 50’s and early 60’s. There were over 80 in W.A. at their peak, as Drive-Ins were very popular. However, there are now less than a handful left, as far as we know, there is not many remaining country Drive-In still operating in WA.

It was not such technical problems that led to the demise of the drive-in: like most such venues, Koorda closed because of the drop in patronage after television. Where they had been getting about ninety cars on a good night, and perhaps thirty to forty even on a bad night, after TV they were lucky to get six people! So the venue closed about 1983.

In 1987 it re-opened: Steve Marvin of Perth screened once a month at first, then less regularly in the nineties, selecting dates to fit in with other community activities in the town. The Shire still owned the venue and renovated it in the mid-90s, so that it looked quite smart.
The huge screen measures approximately 22 metres wide and 20 metres high and was refurbished by local townsfolk in 2002, they completely rebuilt the frames and panels, then a coat of paint to give us the terrific screen we have today.
In March of 2015, an upgrade to the projector was completed to a new Digital System with the first screening held on the 28th March 2015. Since the upgrade the Drive In has held viewings every month and has become very popular with people travelling from surrounding districts and as far as Perth to view the latest Digital feature movies.