User Reviews

I found the first 3 seasons of this Australian family drama/comedy on Tubi TV. I've enjoyed a lot of what I've seen. However, no one in this series seems in respect the privacy of others. Case in point, characters just walk into a room (even the bathroom) when the door is closed. Sometimes not knocking, sometimes knocking and not waiting for an answer. What's wrong with that picture? Some characters are extremely annoying, such as, Warney. I would be hyperventilating hanging around that guy. And, no one seems to let anyone finish a sentence. The three adult children, considering they are in the early to mid twenties, don't have a clue about life. That's to be expected, however, it seems to be on all levels, not just a few. The parents, very well played by Rebecca Gibney and Erik Thomson, don't seem to just sit these "kids" down and have a good talk with them. The premise and background of why two of the three kids ended up back home and the third one right next door was a little rushed in the first couple of episodes. It could have been stretched out better. It kind of reminds me of a drama with a little bit based on "Full House" except "Full House" had way much more room than "Packed to the Rafters". Too many family members in too tight of a space. That includes the mom's dad after his wife died. From what I read, a few of the cast members departed after the second, third and fourth seasons. It was a huge hit in Australia when in was on from 2008 - 2013. I don't know why I'm mentioning these drawbacks on a series that started over a decade ago, but these things just bugged me. The set that was used for the house was someplace I would want to live. All of that color and character was very cool to see instead of our American series' or movies that are a bunch of colorless cookie cutter sets based on colorless cookie cutter houses in developments.

The whole series is on Hulu, but I don't know if I want to pay a monthly fee to see the last three seasons. Tubi is free, while ads.

The Rafters are the greatest family on Earth. They give so much without being political nor religious, and sadly most times they get burned. The 3 main principles in S1 thru 5 are outstanding. I'm speaking of Hugh Sheridan, Rebecca Gibney and the star rising Jessica Morais. Ben and Nathan are also fantastic.

I loved how, as each year progressed, slight cursing was added, because, some of the bridges they HAD to cross...man, they held it together.

And the problems are not forgotten in the next episode.

Jake and Coby are the best.

This is not a spoiler...in, " Back to the Rafters", Ruby is like 10, and precotious and horrible.

I rated this show 8, I really loved this show.

P. S. The original Rachel does not show up in " Back to..." The grandfather is THE ABSOLUTE WORST.

You are really going to enjoy this series.

'Packed to the Rafters' is a relatively light, well written family drama that won a slew of awards during its time on air, and rated highly in Australia across its six season run.

The show begins the day before the 25th wedding anniversary of its two main characters, Dave and Julie Rafter, who married and had children very young and have been living in their small suburban home throughout their married life. Their last remaining child at home has decided he is going to move out and Dave and Julie are looking forward to being empty nesters. However a series of events lead to different family members one by one returning to the Rafter home. With all bedrooms full and only one bathroom, the house becomes packed to the rafters!

One of Australia's finest drama series, each episode of Packed to the Rafters is carefully crafted, narrated by a different character and often has an extended metaphor or motif throughout. Packed to the Rafters deals with difficult and very real issues facing members of society, all while balancing comedy and being heartwarming at the same time. The natural chemistry between the cast enhances the believability that in difficult times, this family comes together and is there for each other no matter what.

While all seasons were a joy to watch, I particularly enjoyed Season 1 as the pasts of each character was revealed through their narration and flashbacks, so we get some back story as to why they are the way they are.

Packed To The Rafters is a perfect example of Australia's fantastic television industry. The show is not fake, although it is fictional, it deals with characters, relationships and experiences that everyone can relate to.

Packed To The Rafters focuses on the lives of the Rafter family made up of father, Dave (Erik Thomson), mother (Rebecca Gibney), the eldest, Rachel (Jessica Marais), middle child, Ben (Hugh Sheridan) and youngest, Nathan (Angus McLaren). Each episode is narrated by a different family member giving each episode an exciting new take on each characters life. Almost always Packed To The Rafters is full of happiness, joy and laughter. However, darker issues are covered especially when dealing with Rachel and her troubled life and relationships.

Packed To The Rafters is a rare show where the viewer is transported into a different family, which is so like their own, dealing with everyday issues that are exciting and often extremely funny.

The best show on Australian television since the ABC's hit drama, SeaChange.

Some people rate this show poorly but I think it's great. It revolves around a middle age couple who's mature kids all move back home through different circumstances and the relationship between all of them. It is pretty light but when there are so many dark serious shows and movies around it's nice to see a really nice show based on good old family values. The characters are all well played and after telling my girlfriend this looks like a load of rubbish for 2 weeks I watched an episode and am totally hooked. This is in it's second season and I hope it goes for a few more. Can't wait for the 2nd season to come out in NZ.

This is one of the best series I have ever seen. Love the characters, acting is impeccable, and each episode is wonderful.

Heart warming, funny and relatable! The cast and writing is absolutely sensational. Although I've rewatched it multiple times, I still laugh and cry every time. I have a tonne of love and appreciation for this show and the people/actors that gave it life. You must watch it.

Wow channel 7, what the hell happened? All of the female lead role actors are jumping ship faster then I have ever seen for a new soap. Last season went for 6 shows (WTF?), and upon its return this Aug 2011, it seems like it has lost its magic. Are the actors 'over it', because it seems like all the spark has gone flat. Rachael has gone, Mel has gone, Carbo's flat mate has gone (now on Winners and Loosers).

I never thought I'd say this, but my hectic time schedule allows for Winners and Loosers these days. I am afraid Packed to the Rafters have had too many false starts.

I loved this show so much too. A shame!

We kept trying to enjoy this show, Series 1, 2. But the poor miserable souls never do, or are to stupid to get a steady decent life. It's 80 percent depressing calamity and if you're lucky 20 percent fun. The only person who ever has it together is the Nurse. She's great. The flashback episodes are informative but drag on and on. If just a couple of the children crawled out of their addiction far enough to give the series some balance it would probably be tolerable or even pleasant. These children are suppose to adults, not teens.

I was late to finding this show and sad that it has already ended, but I have enjoyed it immensely.

I am an American and I loved this Australian show.

The thing I like the most about it was it was real and not overdramatic or for excitement purpose. American TV, news, and everything else in the media is always so over the top dramatic, excited, and this was a nice alternative.

There were so many times that I was watching it that I totally forgot that these were actors and not a real family. That does not happen to me often.

The casting crew did a really good job with the common characteristics that family members have when casting each individual family within this show.

I'm going to check out some other Australian shows if I have the ability to from America in hopes that they are very similar.

I also love how different words mean different things and I find that rather interesting and enjoyable to learn.

The voice overs may drive you crazy. The soap opera atmosphere may suffocate you. The cutesy vibe may bore you. In the end, you'll watch this with one eye on the TV and the other scanning a newspaper, looking out the window or scanning recipes for that night's dinner.

It's not bad mind you, just a bit precious when it needs to be gritty. Good for young people to learn life lessons, I suppose. This is not brain surgeon stuff. It's often trite in the vein of "800 Words" without the Kiwi vibe and colourful characters (except for a star turn by Hannah Storey as Ruby). A good family diversion but a little bit simple-minded for grown ups.

Fantastic. I love Aussie shows and I can't wait for Amazon to take us "Back to the Rafters"

Such a great series! I want Voula to get her own spin-off show with Effie (Mary Coustas) as her cousin, called Keeping Up With the Karandonis'. Greek-Australian's everywhere will roll over like dolmades to see this.

He did not disappoint. I didn't think I could love him more but I officially do. I adored his work on H2O. He does such an excellent job in this. Everyone in this show was great but Angus has been my #1 since I was 6 years old.

I never really watched this show when it was airing on Channel 7 but I started watching it on DVD a couple of years after the last episode and I'm so glad I did. It's one of my favourite shows.

I prefer the later seasons as my favourite characters Coby and Frankie are on it. Coby is such a beautiful, flawed character who got a great ending on the show. He grew up so much, worked through so many issues and finally got together with his soul mate, Frankie.

This Australian series is a family style soap opera that's kind of an updated version of "Leave it to Beaver' or "Father knows Best". It's set in current times and tries to teach morality lessons for problems in today's world e.g addiction, alcoholism, financial debt etc. It becomes formula driven after a while, and the problems seem never ending. The script dispenses the usual homely advice about being good to one another, family is everything stuff, but after a while starts to wear thin. The most annoying thing about the series is the folk music type soundtrack.....really annoying. Overall, it's something to keep in your streaming queue for when there's nothing else to watch.

Nathan never completely stops being a wanker, but the Rafters are otherwise amazingly likable without being too perfect. I love that these seem like normal people dealing with normal life events. They actually live in a modest house, have a modest car, and worry about money, but they aren't some kind of working class cliche either (at least to an American viewer.) If the Rafters lived in my neighborhood, I'd show up on their doorstep and ask them to be my friends, and I think they'd welcome me to the family (okay, maybe they are a little unrealistically nice/naive.)

I love Australian TV even though I'm in America. I've gotten involved with the Rafter family. It's so nice to watch something wholesome on TV for a change. I love all the characters and I think that's what makes this show such a success. I do wonder, however, as another reviewer mentioned, why nobody ever knocks on the doors in these houses.

Watching this as a teenager, I liked it but re-watching it as an adult I love it & understand everything that's going on and can sadly relate to a few of the issues the characters face. This is such a wholesome aussie family show that brings awareness to A LOT of real life situations. Being a Sydney sider myself I loved this was set here and driving past the Rafters family home and Carbo's house (because I can) made me feel apart of it all somehow.

Forget home & away and neighbours, this is the Aussie show you should be watching!!!!

Now bring on "Back to the rafters" so excited for this new season, my heart is so full.