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Landline (ABC)

When did it start? 1991

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What is it? Rural current affairs. Landline is a show about farming, the country and the future of agriculture. Hosted by Pip Courtney, the show interviews farmers, workers, scientists, townspeople and others about challenges and changes in agriculture. It’s an important show as it helps people understand the life-sustaining work done in rural Australia and how agriculture is the backbone of our economy.

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Watch: Sundays at 12:30 pm on ABC.

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Play School

When did it start? 1966.

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What is it? Children’s entertainment. Play School is one of Australia’s most beloved shows. While aimed at children, a re-watch hits the nostalgia spot – although it’s more modern and flashier than it ever was when we were growing up! Despite the different sets and better graphics, the toys remain the same – Big Ted, Maurice, Jemima – and the presenters are as energetic and enthusiastic as ever.

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Watch: weekdays on ABC Kids at 9:00am, 11:30am and 3:30pm and weekends on ABC Kids at 9:00am and 3:30pm.

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Home and Away

When did it start? 1988.

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What is it? Soap opera. Set in a fictional coastal town called Summer Bay, Home and Away follows the lives, loves and scandals of its residents. The dramatic storylines, while often over the top, are always entertaining – and the beach scenery is gorgeous! It’s also popular – with a strong and dedicated viewership at home and also in the UK and Ireland. This year’s Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television went to Lynne McGranger, who played Irene Roberts for 33 years. She has now left the show to pursue other interests – and the character has left with her!

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Watch: Monday to Thursday at 7pm on Channel 7.

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Gardening Australia

When did it start? 1990.

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What is it? Gardening show. Gardening Australia is an iconic ABC show, hosted by the charismatic Costa Georgiadis. It follows beautiful and interesting gardens around the country, from small households to schools and community gardens. The show provides tips for healthy and sustainable gardening, no matter the climate or challenges. It also gives simple, useful tips on a range of topics, including growing edible plants, saving water, composting and looking after soil. Prison gardens have featured in a few Gardening Australia episodes – including a 2013 investigation into the gardening program at Port Phillip Prison, in Victoria, and a 2017 episode set at Risdon Prison, in Tasmania. Even if you don’t like gardening or have much experience with it, the show is calming to watch and can feel like an escape into nature.  

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Watch: Fridays at 7:30 pm on ABC.

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Four Corners

When did it start? 1961! This show is 64 years old and Australia’s longest running show.

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What is it? Calling itself “the home of Australian investigative journalism”, Four Corners is Australia’s longest running TV show. Many episodes have led to national inquiries, royal commissions and political change. For example, an investigation that aired on 25 July 2016 called “Australia’s shame” exposed the mistreatment of youth at Don Dale Youth Detention centre in Darwin. There was national outcry, which led to the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory. Other episodes on the justice system include “Trapped: Inside the hidden system of locking people up indefinitely” – a 2023 investigation into the mistreatment of people with disability and mental illness detained in the forensic system – and “Who Killed Mr Ward?” – a 2009 investigation into the death of an Aboriginal man in Western Australia, after he had been locked in a metal van in the desert heat.

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Watch: Mondays at 8:30pm, repeated on Tuesdays at 1:00pm and Wednesdays at 11:00pm.