Have you ever tried explaining the plot of an episode of Round the Twist to someone who hasn't seen it? You end up sounding like you've lost your mind. It’s the show where a kid grows a trunk on his nose because he didn't wash behind his ears. Or the one where a boy's feet start playing music. Honestly, it was pure, unadulterated chaos, and yet, for a certain generation of kids in Australia, the UK, and beyond, it was the definitive television experience of our childhoods.
The show followed the Twist family—Tony, Pete, Linda, and Bronson—as they moved into a haunted lighthouse in the fictional town of Port Niranda. It was based on the short stories of Paul Jennings, a man who clearly understood that children don't want polite fables; they want stories about ghosts, toilets, and the sheer embarrassment of puberty.
The Absolute Weirdness of Port Niranda
Most kids' shows back then were trying to teach you a lesson. They wanted you to be kind to your neighbor or share your toys. Round the Twist didn't really care about that. It cared about what happened if you swallowed a remote control and could suddenly fast-forward your own life. It was gross. It was surreal.
The lighthouse itself was a character. Perched on the rugged cliffs, it was the epicenter of every supernatural occurrence in town. Whether it was the Gribble family trying to turn the coastline into a tourist trap or the actual ghosts of the Von Stauffel family haunting the premises, there was never a moment of peace. The show thrived on a specific brand of "Aussie Gothic" that felt both familiar and deeply unsettling.
You've got to remember the era this came out in. The first season dropped in 1989. This was before CGI was everywhere. The special effects were practical, messy, and surprisingly effective. When a character’s face started melting or someone turned into a mermaid, it looked tangible. It felt real because it was actually there on set, probably made of latex and strawberry jam.
Why the Rotating Cast Didn't Kill the Vibe
One of the strangest things about the tv series Round the Twist was the cast. Because there were such huge gaps between seasons—sometimes five or six years—the actors kept outgrowing their roles. We had three different Petes, three different Lindas, and three different Bronsons.
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Usually, that’s a death knell for a show. If you swap out the lead of a sitcom, fans revolt. But with this show? It almost added to the dreamlike, inconsistent reality of Port Niranda. You just accepted that Bronson looked completely different this year because, in this world, people also turned into ice cream or grew giant ears. It was just another layer of the weirdness.
Richard Moir, who played the father, Tony Twist, was the only real constant for the first two seasons. He brought this frantic, bohemian energy to the role of a single dad trying to raise three kids in a tower while sculpting naked statues. It was a very specific vibe. Then later, Mark Mitchell took over the role, bringing a different, more slapstick energy that still somehow fit the mold.
Paul Jennings and the Power of the Gross-Out
The secret sauce was always the writing. Paul Jennings' books like Unreal! and Unbelievable! were staples in primary school libraries. He didn't talk down to kids. He knew that at age ten, the funniest thing in the world is a ghost that lives in a dunny.
Take the episode "Skeletons in the Closet." It involves a literal skeleton in a cupboard, but it’s wrapped in the anxiety of trying to impress a crush. Or "The Copy," where a machine clones people, but the clones are backwards. It took high-concept sci-fi tropes and dragged them through the mud and the playground. It was brilliant because it was relatable. Every kid knows the feeling of being humiliated in front of their peers; Jennings just added a supernatural twist to that humiliation.
That Theme Song (You’re Singing It Now)
"Have you ever... ever felt like this?"
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If those words don't immediately trigger a core memory, did you even have a TV in the 90s? The theme song, performed by Tamsin West (the original Linda Twist), is perhaps one of the most iconic pieces of television music ever recorded. It perfectly captured the manic, slightly spooky, and incredibly upbeat tone of the show. It told you exactly what you were getting into: strange things are happening, and you’re going to have to deal with it.
It’s interesting to look back at how the show handled adult themes too. It wasn't just about fart jokes. There was a real sense of loss, particularly regarding the kids' mother, who had passed away before the series started. There were themes of environmentalism, greed, and the complexities of growing up. But it was all buried under a layer of "magic pasta" that makes you fly or a "whirling derwish" that lives in a junkyard.
The Cultural Legacy of a Haunted Lighthouse
Even now, people visit the Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet, Victoria, just to see the "Round the Twist lighthouse." It’s become a pilgrimage site for nostalgic Millennials. The show was exported to over 60 countries. It turns out that the fear of your underwear coming to life and attacking you is a universal human experience.
Critics at the time weren't always sure what to make of it. Some parents thought it was too crude. Some educators thought it was "trash." But the Australian Children's Television Foundation (ACTF) stood by it. They realized that by embracing the "yuck factor," they were engaging kids who otherwise wouldn't care about local drama.
The production values were actually quite high for the time. Director Esben Storm, who also played the recurring character of the eccentric teacher Mr. Gribble (and later the ghost Harold Gribble), had a visual style that leaned into the absurdity. The camera angles were often Dutch tilts; the colors were saturated. It looked like a comic book come to life.
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The Problem with Modern Reboots
People often ask why we don't have a modern version of the tv series Round the Twist. The truth is, it would be hard to capture that lightning in a bottle again. In 2026, a network would probably try to make it "gritty" or fill it with polished CGI. Part of the charm was how "handmade" it felt. It was a show that wasn't afraid to be ugly or awkward.
It also benefited from a lack of oversight that you just don't see in children's programming today. You could show a kid’s bare bum or have a plot centered entirely around bird poo without a dozen executives having a heart attack. It was a braver time for television.
Actionable Steps for the Nostalgic Viewer
If you’re looking to dive back into the madness of Port Niranda, there are actually a few things you can do to get the most out of the experience.
- Check Streaming Platforms: Many regions have the series available on Netflix or Amazon Prime. In Australia, it’s often accessible through the ABC iview archives.
- Read the Original Stories: Pick up a copy of Paul Jennings' Collected Short Stories. Comparing the source material to the TV adaptations is a fascinating look at how to translate "un-filmable" ideas to the screen.
- Visit the Site: If you find yourself on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, stop at Split Point Lighthouse. It’s a working lighthouse, and seeing it in person makes you realize how isolated the Twist kids really would have felt.
- Watch the Documentary: Look for "The Making of Round the Twist" features often found on DVD sets or YouTube. Seeing how they achieved the practical effects on a shoestring budget is a masterclass in creative filmmaking.
The show remains a testament to the idea that kids can handle weirdness. They don't need everything sanitized and explained. Sometimes, you just want to watch a family live in a lighthouse while a ghost tries to win a horse race. It was strange, it was gross, and it was perfect. Honestly, we could use a little more of that energy in TV today. No matter how much time passes, the Twist family and their bizarre adventures remain a high-water mark for what children's television can—and should—be.