Two of the longest running, daytime shows, in Australia are “Home and Away” and “Neighbours”. The actors appear on various magazines and some even venture into the music business. I suggest that while you are visiting Australia you take some time and watch these shows. Here is a helpful guide for both.

Home And Away began in 1988. It’s original focal characters were Poppa and Tom Fletcher, who ran the Summer Bay Caravan Park. Today they have added the Stewart family and many other cast members. It is a show with beauty, brawn, tans and beaches. They have also dealt with some controversial issues, a lesbian kiss being it’s most recent.

Home and Away airs weekdays for 46 weeks a year and is a massive hit is the UK and Ireland. Some well know US actors have worked on home away in the early years. these actors include, Heath Ledger, Simon Baker, Isla Fisher, Melissa George, Danni Minogue, Guy Pearce and Naomi Watts.

Neighbours first aired in 1985. It follows the lives of six homes all living on the same cul-de-sac, on Ramsay Street, in a middle class suburb of Erinsborough, a fictional town. They have the usual romances, family problems, domestic squabbles and other events affecting the residents. Neighbours airs for 22 minutes a day five days a week. Originally airing on channel 7, it was later picked up by channel 10, who casted a younger group of actors, including Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan who played Charlene and Scott. Their romance and wedding was watched by one of the largest audiences in Australia and in the UK.

When it began, Neighbours, has almost 18 million viewer. Today it still goes strong with about 3 million viewer per show. Some of the big names that have started careers on this show are, Russell Crowe, Jason Donovan, Natalie Imbrulia, Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue.