Classic Aussie dramas to binge for a nostalgic fix

With flashy, big budget overseas dramas dominating streaming services it's easy to forget Australia's huge catalogue of iconic TV shows. And while those shows can be hugely entertaining, there is nothing like the soothing comfort of a nostalgic Aussie TV show — the perfect thing to take your mind off the news, especially if you're based in Victoria and have six weeks of stage four restrictions to get through.

Here are eight beloved Australian dramas you can stream right now:

McLeod's Daughters

A rural landscape, dynamic female characters, captivating romances and never-ending family drama — McLeod's Daughters had it all. The stunning South Australian setting will send you armchair travelling, while the drama of Tess and Claire's love lives will have you binge watching for hours.

Stream every episode ever of McLeod's Daughters for free on 9Now.

RELATED: The 10 most iconic McLeod's Daughters episodes of all time

Stingers

There are plenty of cop shows out there but none quite like Stingers. The series followed a group of undercover police officers who often had to change identities to infiltrate the criminal world. It ran for eight seasons from 1998 to 2004 and starred Peter Phelps and Kate Kendall.

Stream every episode ever of Stingers for free on 9Now.

Seachange

Quirky and heartwarming, Seachange is a soothing watch that will have you smiling from ear-to-ear. Sigrid Thornton stars as Laura Gibson, a magistrate who moves to Pearl Bay after discovering her husband has had an affair. Once you're done with the three original seasons of Seachange, check out the 2019 reimagining.

Stream every episode ever of Seachange for free on 9Now.

Offspring

Few TV characters have captured Australians' hearts like Nina Proudman. The obstetrician with an impeccable fashion sense kept us entertained for seven seasons as she navigated work, love and family. But it wasn't all about Nina, with the rest of the Proudman clan, including Billie, providing plenty of laughter and tears.

Stream every episode ever of Offspring on Netflix.

Rake

As much a comedy as it is a drama, Rake stars Richard Roxburgh as self-destructive lawyer Cleaver Greene. Cleaver gets himself in all sorts of trouble and mischief while taking on bizarre cases. The series not only had an acclaimed cast of regular actors, it also attracted high-profile talent including Cate Blanchett, who played Cleaver in a fictional film.

Stream every episode ever of Rake on Netflix.

Wonderland

For three seasons Wonderland followed the relationships of a group of neighbours living in an apartment complex in Sydney. The drama begins when Tom makes a bet that he won't sleep with a female flatmate for a year just before his perfect girl Anna moves in. Wonderland stars Michael Dorman, Anna Bamford, Brooke Satchwell, Ben Mingay, Tim Ross and Jessica Tovey.

Stream every episode ever of Wonderland on Stan.

Bloom

Hauntingly beautiful, Bloom is a captivating drama about the fountain of youth and the dangers it brings. Residents of a small town discover a berry that turns back the clock to a younger time in their lives when they experienced a regret. However, a dangerous side effect of the berry leads them to live out that regret regardless of the cost. Aussie acting legend Bryan Brown leads the cast which also includes Jacki Weaver, Phoebe Tonkin and Ryan Corr.

Stream every episode ever of Bloom on Stan.

RELATED: Why actor Bryan Brown tries to live in the moment

Packed to the Rafters

Aussie viewers fell in love with the Rafter family the moment this series launched on TV. There was just something relatable about every character and somehow you always felt part of the family. It stars Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Jessica Marais, Hugh Sheridan and Angus McLaren.

Stream every episode ever of Packed to the Rafters on Amazon Prime Video.

Nine Entertainment Co (the publisher of this website) owns and operates the streaming service Stan.