After covering the Top 10 Families, Marriages, and Deaths, the last thing I wanted to explore was some of the key storylines that have shaped the show.
Which iconic storylines from the past have sparked the most memorable talking points?
The challenge was, I couldn’t narrow it down to just 10. Even after excluding storylines I’ve already covered in my previous Top 10s, there were simply too many to choose from.
So, I’ve had to expand to a Top 20 for the most talked about storylines. Here’s part 1, with part 2 to follow tomorrow.
20. Paul, Scott and Mike car crash (1986)
This was probably one of the biggest stunts I remember from the show when it first aired, and it was a really good one too.
Clive forgot to put the pram brake on properly, so while he was proposing, the pram started rolling downhill.
Meanwhile, Paul, Scott, and Mike were all in a car, clearly speeding. They swerved and narrowly missed the pram, but then flipped…several times.
19. Scully’s “Making Mansions” (2004)
Every so often, a set needs an update, and what better way to do it than through a reality TV show called Making Mansions?
Initially, it seemed like something serious, but the final edit ended up portraying the Scullys as dysfunctional bogans.
It was quite comical seeing Lyn being called a “housewife or fishwife.” No lies were told!
18. The Two Libbys (2008)
Kym Valentine, who played Libby Kennedy, had a health scare that meant she had to be written out of the show immediately for a month.
Although Libby was involved in some major storylines, the show decided to temporarily recast the role with Michala Banas while Kym recovered.
However, what stands out most to me is when Kym returned. There was a rafting accident, and Kym (played by Michala) went underwater. When Kym resurfaced, it was suddenly Kym!
I’m gutted I can’t find the original scene, because it was so bad it was good. That said, I do love the sketch where the show poked fun at itself.
17. Hot Air Balloon Crash (2016)
There have been loads of crashes in Erinsborough over the years, but never a hot air balloon crash… well, until 2016.
Stunt weeks have become quite common for Neighbours, and they generally help set up storylines to come.
During one such week, a group of characters goes up in a hot air balloon for Lauren Turner’s hen do. Disaster strikes, and they crash, leaving a number of residents in serious condition.
Paige jumped into a lake before the crash and was found by Father Jack, who took her to a shed in the middle of nowhere…and then they had sex!
Dr Karl performed a trephination using a drill to relieve the pressure on a guest character. Unfortunately, the character died during surgery, and Karl ended up being investigated for malpractice.
16. Death in the Outback (2024)
This was probably the biggest stunt week the show did as part of the Amazon Years, and while it was great TV, it was also questionable at times.
Holly goes on a ‘work’ trip with Heath, who is two-timing her with his boss, Tess.
But things start to go wrong, and Holly ends up more of a hostage.
Various residents of Ramsay Street arrive in the Outback. It took Mackenzie and Haz several days to get the only available flight to their destination.
Yet Toadie and Mel arrived in less than 24 hours by cargo train after being kidnapped.
What followed was drama galore. Holly nearly drowned in a silo of corn, Mackenzie was shot, Toadie got lost and ended up taking a nap on the railway tracks, and Heath was eaten by an alligator!
15. Coffee Shop Fire (1988)
Fun fact: the Lassiters complex was originally a set used for the short-lived TV show Holiday Island. So, it was inevitable that it would need to be updated for Neighbours.
Cue the coffee shop fire/explosion…with Des inside!
14. Tornado
I love a good disaster, and I think the show really went all out with this one.
We had the drama, with Susan performing an emergency tracheotomy on Lou after food got stuck in his throat following the roof collapsing on him.
Then there was the romance, with Daniel asking Amber to marry him.
But it’s the kudos to the props team for the incredible work they put into these episodes.
13. Hotel Death Trap (2016)
Yes, I know I mentioned Josh’s death yesterday, but the whole stunt week deserves a mention.
I’ve lost count of how many times the Lassiters complex has had an explosion or fire, but here we are again. And, with the later timeslot, we also got a grittier show this time around.
As well as dealing with the aftermath of the explosion, there were tons of other smaller mysteries to contend with:
Georgie returned for Kyle. Who was the mystery man who saved Paige? Why was Karl in a hotel room with Sarah Beaumont? And who deliberately caused the explosion?
Not only did Josh die, but so did his grandfather and iconic Neighbours legend, Doug Willis.
12. Lassiters complex destroyed (2004)
The 2004 finale ended with the entire Lassiters complex being destroyed, leading to a “new year, new me” vibe for the complex.
Watching everything being destroyed was a climactic ending to the year, but it was really the return of Paul Robinson that got people talking.
11. Nic Selling a Baby (2021)
Let me set the scene. Aaron and David wanted a baby, and Nicolette offered to be their surrogate. They agreed, and out came the turkey baster!
However, wherever Nic went, drama followed. Paul and Leo were constantly on her back, and eventually, she went on the run… taking her pregnant belly with her. Obviously!
Paul finally catches up with Nic, who has now had the child. He concocts a plan to buy the baby for $1 million, with the condition that she stays away from Erinsborough. And Nic agrees!
I know!
Paul returns to Erinsborough with Isla, and it seems like happy families can finally begin.
But then this random starts following them around and kidnaps the child, only to reveal that it’s really her baby.
Nic returns to Erinsborough with the real Isla and explains the baby swap. Brittany (the random) then drops the bombshell that Abigail is actually Leo’s baby.
I know!