The Rodeo drive-in was built by Far Northern Theatres in the 1960's. They had a circuit that extended right through far northern Queenland and into Papua New Guinea. The circuit was sold to Birch Carrol and Coyle in the 1970's and operated most of its life as the place to go to the drive-in in the areas inland from Cairns. In the mid-1980's, BCC pulled out and the Rodeo was sold to  Norm Janke. Norm operated the drive-in until 1998 when he closed the venture.

A Mareeba local Sam Torrisi purchased the Rodeo and reopened before health problems forced him to put it in the hands of a leasee. She operated the drivein for approxomately a year before the current proprietors Marty and Heidi Yates took over in September 2006. 

This was a new venture for Marty and Heidi, as they had no experience running a cinema, but hard work, a willingness to learn and the support of the community came together to give life to the old girl.

And if people keep coming I'm sure Marty will keep it open for a few years more.

For the history of driveins in Australia click here.