The BEST episodes of Packed to the Rafters

Every episode of Packed to the Rafters ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Packed to the Rafters!

Centres around Dave and Julie Rafter and their three children Rachel, Ben and Nathan. On the eve of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary the couple thinks that they are finally about to have the house to themselves. But home is a very welcome refuge for their children and when unforeseen problems loom, they return like a boomerang.

Last Updated: 12/26/2022Network:Seven Network
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Life's Surprises
star
9.17
6 votes

#1 - Life's Surprises

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/5/2013

Julie thinks about life's surprises after she receives two big ones. Nathan returns back home unannounced and is taken out by the elated family for a noisy family lunch. Nathan has big news and drops not just one, but two bombshells. Ben knows he's not over Mel and needs time to heal.

Watch Now:Amazon
Life's Surprises
star
9.17
6 votes

#2 - Life's Surprises

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/5/2013

Julie thinks about life's surprises after she receives two big ones. Nathan returns back home unannounced and is taken out by the elated family for a noisy family lunch. Nathan has big news and drops not just one, but two bombshells. Ben knows he's not over Mel and needs time to heal.

Watch Now:Amazon
Life's Surprises
star
9.17
6 votes

#3 - Life's Surprises

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/5/2013

Julie thinks about life's surprises after she receives two big ones. Nathan returns back home unannounced and is taken out by the elated family for a noisy family lunch. Nathan has big news and drops not just one, but two bombshells. Ben knows he's not over Mel and needs time to heal.

Watch Now:Amazon
Life's Surprises
star
9.17
6 votes

#4 - Life's Surprises

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/5/2013

Julie thinks about life's surprises after she receives two big ones. Nathan returns back home unannounced and is taken out by the elated family for a noisy family lunch. Nathan has big news and drops not just one, but two bombshells. Ben knows he's not over Mel and needs time to heal.

Watch Now:Amazon
Playing a Googly
star
9.04
47 votes

#5 - Playing a Googly

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/2/2008

An unemployed Dave struggles to regain his manhood and position in the family, landing himself in hospital. When life keeps bowling Dave a series of problematic googlies, the question becomes: how will he play them? An overprotective Dave breaks a promise to his daughter and is brutally attacked. Rachel struggles with the aftermath of leaving her abusive boyfriend Daniel — and her own secret turmoil. Narrated by Dave, this episode focuses on Dave dealing with the reality of sudden employment and a house that has been unexpectedly inundated with family members — each bringing with them a dark secret. He processes it all through a cricketing metaphor — that of the googly — that devious curve-ball that life can throw at you, catching you off-guard.

Directors: Anthony Ellis
Watch Now:Amazon
Playing a Googly
star
9.04
47 votes

#6 - Playing a Googly

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/2/2008

An unemployed Dave struggles to regain his manhood and position in the family, landing himself in hospital. When life keeps bowling Dave a series of problematic googlies, the question becomes: how will he play them? An overprotective Dave breaks a promise to his daughter and is brutally attacked. Rachel struggles with the aftermath of leaving her abusive boyfriend Daniel — and her own secret turmoil. Narrated by Dave, this episode focuses on Dave dealing with the reality of sudden employment and a house that has been unexpectedly inundated with family members — each bringing with them a dark secret. He processes it all through a cricketing metaphor — that of the googly — that devious curve-ball that life can throw at you, catching you off-guard.

Directors: Anthony Ellis
Watch Now:Amazon
Playing a Googly
star
9.04
47 votes

#7 - Playing a Googly

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/2/2008

An unemployed Dave struggles to regain his manhood and position in the family, landing himself in hospital. When life keeps bowling Dave a series of problematic googlies, the question becomes: how will he play them? An overprotective Dave breaks a promise to his daughter and is brutally attacked. Rachel struggles with the aftermath of leaving her abusive boyfriend Daniel — and her own secret turmoil. Narrated by Dave, this episode focuses on Dave dealing with the reality of sudden employment and a house that has been unexpectedly inundated with family members — each bringing with them a dark secret. He processes it all through a cricketing metaphor — that of the googly — that devious curve-ball that life can throw at you, catching you off-guard.

Directors: Anthony Ellis
Watch Now:Amazon
Playing a Googly
star
9.04
47 votes

#8 - Playing a Googly

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/2/2008

An unemployed Dave struggles to regain his manhood and position in the family, landing himself in hospital. When life keeps bowling Dave a series of problematic googlies, the question becomes: how will he play them? An overprotective Dave breaks a promise to his daughter and is brutally attacked. Rachel struggles with the aftermath of leaving her abusive boyfriend Daniel — and her own secret turmoil. Narrated by Dave, this episode focuses on Dave dealing with the reality of sudden employment and a house that has been unexpectedly inundated with family members — each bringing with them a dark secret. He processes it all through a cricketing metaphor — that of the googly — that devious curve-ball that life can throw at you, catching you off-guard.

Directors: Anthony Ellis
Watch Now:Amazon
Packing Up the Rafters
star
8.67
9 votes

#9 - Packing Up the Rafters

Season 6 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/2/2013

Everyone makes a video diary to tell Julie and Dave how much they mean to them. Donna realises that she wants to be with the cook and they start a relationship. Eleanor tells Julie she will look after Ted and they will play Battleships. Sammy, Nathan and Ben all decide to raise baby Edward and move into their own unit. Coby and Frankie begin a relationship and together, with Matt, they continue Rafter Electrical. Matt gets signed onto a record label with the help of Molly Meldrum. Carbo gets a job as a manager at a car sales place and he and Retta get assurance that the baby they are expecting is perfectly healthy. Rachel and Jake are happy in New York together and Jake proposes to Rachel. After long consideration, Julie and Dave decide to take their kombi and go for a trip around Australia. We hope you're as happy as we have been. Love Dave and Julie Rafter

Watch Now:Amazon
That Heady Rush
star
8.63
8 votes

#10 - That Heady Rush

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/12/2013

Frankie is caught up in that heady rush a new relationship brings. She seems to be coping pretty well. But can she contain the tsunami that is Coby? Dave is riding a heady rush of his own when Duncan offers the Rafter Electrical team a big contract. But celebratory drinks take a sour turn, and Frankie's forced to rebuff a drunken pass. She assumes it's over and done with. Little does she know, the moment will come back to haunt her.

Watch Now:Amazon
What's in a Name?
star
8.61
38 votes

#11 - What's in a Name?

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/18/2009

The stray mutt which Ben and Melissa found a week ago still has no name, despite all their efforts. If Carbo has his way, the dog may not be around long enough to need a name. After barking all day and night and chewing his mum’s shoes, Carbo delivers an ultimatum to his housemates – find the dog’s owner or it’s off to the pound. Meanwhile, the dog seems to have developed an obsession with Dave. Dave’s instinct is to back away from the dog’s affection – but it’s the all night howling which triggers a deeply subconscious reaction in Dave. He begins to have a recurring dream – one he had many times as a child – of a dog barking and scratching at a closed door. But is it just a dream or a distant and traumatic memory from his own childhood? A week into Trish’s stay in the Rafter house, Julie pleads with her boss Don to give Trish a job. He agrees but the plan backfires when Trish spends more time flirting with Don than she does working. Worse still, Trish unthinkingly reveals Julie’s pregnancy – information Julie was deliberately withholding. Jake is determined to show Rachel they could be in a relationship which is more than physical. Rachel isn’t convinced but agrees to go along to Ladies Day at his rugby club. Plunging headfirst into Jake’s world, will Rachel like what she sees?

Watch Now:Amazon
What's in a Name?
star
8.61
38 votes

#12 - What's in a Name?

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/18/2009

The stray mutt which Ben and Melissa found a week ago still has no name, despite all their efforts. If Carbo has his way, the dog may not be around long enough to need a name. After barking all day and night and chewing his mum’s shoes, Carbo delivers an ultimatum to his housemates – find the dog’s owner or it’s off to the pound. Meanwhile, the dog seems to have developed an obsession with Dave. Dave’s instinct is to back away from the dog’s affection – but it’s the all night howling which triggers a deeply subconscious reaction in Dave. He begins to have a recurring dream – one he had many times as a child – of a dog barking and scratching at a closed door. But is it just a dream or a distant and traumatic memory from his own childhood? A week into Trish’s stay in the Rafter house, Julie pleads with her boss Don to give Trish a job. He agrees but the plan backfires when Trish spends more time flirting with Don than she does working. Worse still, Trish unthinkingly reveals Julie’s pregnancy – information Julie was deliberately withholding. Jake is determined to show Rachel they could be in a relationship which is more than physical. Rachel isn’t convinced but agrees to go along to Ladies Day at his rugby club. Plunging headfirst into Jake’s world, will Rachel like what she sees?

Watch Now:Amazon
What's in a Name?
star
8.61
38 votes

#13 - What's in a Name?

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/18/2009

The stray mutt which Ben and Melissa found a week ago still has no name, despite all their efforts. If Carbo has his way, the dog may not be around long enough to need a name. After barking all day and night and chewing his mum’s shoes, Carbo delivers an ultimatum to his housemates – find the dog’s owner or it’s off to the pound. Meanwhile, the dog seems to have developed an obsession with Dave. Dave’s instinct is to back away from the dog’s affection – but it’s the all night howling which triggers a deeply subconscious reaction in Dave. He begins to have a recurring dream – one he had many times as a child – of a dog barking and scratching at a closed door. But is it just a dream or a distant and traumatic memory from his own childhood? A week into Trish’s stay in the Rafter house, Julie pleads with her boss Don to give Trish a job. He agrees but the plan backfires when Trish spends more time flirting with Don than she does working. Worse still, Trish unthinkingly reveals Julie’s pregnancy – information Julie was deliberately withholding. Jake is determined to show Rachel they could be in a relationship which is more than physical. Rachel isn’t convinced but agrees to go along to Ladies Day at his rugby club. Plunging headfirst into Jake’s world, will Rachel like what she sees?

Watch Now:Amazon
What's in a Name?
star
8.61
38 votes

#14 - What's in a Name?

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/18/2009

The stray mutt which Ben and Melissa found a week ago still has no name, despite all their efforts. If Carbo has his way, the dog may not be around long enough to need a name. After barking all day and night and chewing his mum’s shoes, Carbo delivers an ultimatum to his housemates – find the dog’s owner or it’s off to the pound. Meanwhile, the dog seems to have developed an obsession with Dave. Dave’s instinct is to back away from the dog’s affection – but it’s the all night howling which triggers a deeply subconscious reaction in Dave. He begins to have a recurring dream – one he had many times as a child – of a dog barking and scratching at a closed door. But is it just a dream or a distant and traumatic memory from his own childhood? A week into Trish’s stay in the Rafter house, Julie pleads with her boss Don to give Trish a job. He agrees but the plan backfires when Trish spends more time flirting with Don than she does working. Worse still, Trish unthinkingly reveals Julie’s pregnancy – information Julie was deliberately withholding. Jake is determined to show Rachel they could be in a relationship which is more than physical. Rachel isn’t convinced but agrees to go along to Ladies Day at his rugby club. Plunging headfirst into Jake’s world, will Rachel like what she sees?

Watch Now:Amazon
Rewriting History
star
8.56
9 votes

#15 - Rewriting History

Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/16/2013

As Dave and Julie's 30th wedding anniversary approaches, thoughts naturally turn to family and history. But Julie's view of the past is rocked by a surprise admission from Ted. Meanwhile, Julie also assumes their celebration will be a small affair, but little does she realise, Ben and Nathan have returned for the occasion! Coby is finding it hard to adjust to life in Remand, hiding his pain behind a veneer of black humour. Can he rise to Dave's challenge and put the time to good use?

Watch Now:Amazon
Filling the Void
star
8.50
6 votes

#16 - Filling the Void

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/12/2013

Julie tries to find ways to fill the void left by her absent kids, while the calamitous return of Alex sees Jake’s life fuller than ever before...

Watch Now:Amazon
Endings and Beginnings
star
8.44
9 votes

#17 - Endings and Beginnings

Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/20/2012

Ben and Emma are both nervously looking forward to their first date. When Carbo and Retta return from the honeymoon from hell, Ben and Emma head out to a restaurant and enjoy a perfect evening.

Watch Now:Amazon
Endings and Beginnings
star
8.44
9 votes

#18 - Endings and Beginnings

Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/20/2012

Ben and Emma are both nervously looking forward to their first date. When Carbo and Retta return from the honeymoon from hell, Ben and Emma head out to a restaurant and enjoy a perfect evening.

Watch Now:Amazon
Endings and Beginnings
star
8.44
9 votes

#19 - Endings and Beginnings

Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/20/2012

Ben and Emma are both nervously looking forward to their first date. When Carbo and Retta return from the honeymoon from hell, Ben and Emma head out to a restaurant and enjoy a perfect evening.

Watch Now:Amazon
Endings and Beginnings
star
8.44
9 votes

#20 - Endings and Beginnings

Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/20/2012

Ben and Emma are both nervously looking forward to their first date. When Carbo and Retta return from the honeymoon from hell, Ben and Emma head out to a restaurant and enjoy a perfect evening.

Watch Now:Amazon
Got What It Takes
star
8.40
10 votes

#21 - Got What It Takes

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/19/2013

Dave is determined to take his business to the next level, beginning with his new contract with Duncan. But when Duncan's wandering eye puts him on a collision course with Coby, does Dave have what it takes to stop the impact? Meanwhile, Frankie's not impressed with Coby's seeming lack of maturity, starting with his inability to let go of his rage over Duncan's pass at her. How much more will Frankie be able to put up with?

Watch Now:Amazon
Free to Choose
star
8.40
10 votes

#22 - Free to Choose

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/9/2013

Julie’s main preoccupation is Ted, who is still reeling from recently having briefly not recognised Cooper

Watch Now:Amazon
Unwritten Rules
star
8.38
8 votes

#23 - Unwritten Rules

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/5/2012

When the rules of relationships are broken, who decides the punishment?

Watch Now:Amazon
Unwritten Rules
star
8.38
8 votes

#24 - Unwritten Rules

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/5/2012

When the rules of relationships are broken, who decides the punishment?

Watch Now:Amazon
Unwritten Rules
star
8.38
8 votes

#25 - Unwritten Rules

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/5/2012

When the rules of relationships are broken, who decides the punishment?

Watch Now:Amazon

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