If there’s one thing we as a nation take seriously, it’s our love and obsession with the second longest-running soapie in Australia, Home and Away.
The Channel 7 drama has become the linchpin to everything that is good and Aussie.
And with 6,763 episodes in the can, with the first-ever show airing back in January 1988, it’s become the breeding ground to some major A-list stars, incredibly heartbreaking TV moments, iconic Aussie phrases (looking at you, Alf Stewart) and of course, life-long friendships between the cast members.
That’s right, even when the cameras stop rolling, the gang are as close as ever.
With such a rich history, the stars of the show genuinely like each other and have each other’s back.
“We’re best mates. And can I say I am so proud of her, I guess everyone has fallen in love with her because they’ve seen what I see everyday. She’s a beautiful person and I’m really proud of her,” Ada Nicodemou, who plays Leah Patterson-Baker, proudly explains of her Home and Away bestie Lynne McGranger aka Irene.
“Being on Home and Away and working with the such great cast and crew is a blessing,” Orpheus Pledger agrees.
As we count down to the 30-year anniversary of Home and Away, let’s celebrate all the times the cast were the best of friends!
Ladies and gents who lunch!
The Home and Away lunch club looks like so much fun! Whether they’re enjoying a boozy brunch or a low-key catch-up, these guys know how to dine in style.
The sweet, sweet bromances
Whether it’s old or new stars of the show, the H&A bromances run deep.
We can’t get enough of the love between James Stewart, George Mason, Jackson Heywood and Orpheus Pledger!
Even former stars Johnny Ruffo and Steve Peacocke keep in touch with the lads.
Fun times between takes
The newest BFFs
Since Sam Frost joined Home and Away a few months ago, she’s found a fast friend in her co-star Jake Ryan.
In fact, insiders even say 34-year-old Jake has a crush on the former Bachelorette babe.
“Jake is completely besotted with Sam and has been doing everything he can to win her over,” an on-set source told Woman’s Day.
“He thinks she’s beautiful and funny and uses any opportunity he can to spend time with her.”
But for now, the pair are just good mate who are joined at the hip!
WATCH: Everything you need to know about Sam Frost and Jake Ryan. Post continues after the video…
Strewth, Alf is the ultimate legend!
Name a more legendary Australian actor and we’ll eat Irene’s hamburger phone.
Ray Meagher has played one of Summer Bay’s most beloved characters Alf Stewart on Home And Away for nearly 30 years and in 2010, his god-like status was finally cemented when he won the TV WEEK Gold Logie.
There from day dot, the 73-year-old says he’ll never get sick of playing Alf and it’s clear his colleagues simply adore him.
“In some ways, I enjoy it more! When it first started, I was very busy doing movies and mini-series. I was lucky enough to do around 30 Australian films, sometimes big parts and sometimes small ones. I didn’t look down my nose at soap, but I thought, ‘I’m not sure I want to be involved in one project for a long time’. A year would have felt like a lifetime,” he told Digital Spy of his impressive career.
Adding: “I went into Home and Away agreeing to do six months. The producers wanted us all to sign two-year contracts, and I wouldn’t do that. After signing for six months, I later signed for another six and then later a year, so that brought me up to the two-year mark, and then on from there.”
“As you can tell, the reticence that I had to signing a long-term contract quickly dissipated after I got into the show and enjoyed it so much. The other thing that was really good, for a freelance actor, was to be able to stay in my own city and sleep in my own bed.”
Lynne McGranger and Ada Nicodemou forever!
With a friendship spanning over 15 years, these mates are the real deal.
The co-stars hang out with each other off-set all the time and it’s so heartwarming to see.
Earlier in the year they gave us a serious case of wanderlust when they jetted off to Europe for the ultimate girls’ getaway.
The old-timers
No Home and Away besties’ tribute would be complete without a nod to one of the soapie’s most popular stars of all time – Kate Ritchie.
Australia watched Kate grow up before our eyes as she appeared on our screens for 20 years playing Sally Fletcher.
The mother-of-one has gone on to enjoy a successful career as a radio presenter and children’s author.
But she still always has time for her former castmates including Bec Hewitt, Ray Meagher and Chris Hemsworth!
In 2015, there was a mini Home and Away reunion when Kate Ritchie and Bec Hewitt supported their former co-star Chris Hemsworth at the Sydney premiere of In The Heart Of The Sea.
And it was magical to say the least!
