Surviving Summer

Summer Torres is a rebellious teenager from Brooklyn who gets sent to Shorehaven, a tiny surf town along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, to live with family friends. She expects boredom and strict rules, so she pushes back, argues with locals and keeps her distance from the tight-knit community. Over the season she loosens up, makes friends and rivals, and discovers a different rhythm through surf lessons, seaside routines and new relationships. Her connections with Ari, Poppy, Bodhi and Marlon pull her out of familiar patterns and make her rethink what home can be, without giving away any major plot twists or finales. She gradually finds friends, challenges, and a different sense of belonging.

Surviving Summer was created by Josh Mapleston and Joanna Werner and premiered in 2022. The Australian drama stars Sky Katz, Kai Lewins, Lilliana Bowrey, Savannah La Rain and Joao Marinho, and was filmed on location near Victoria's iconic coastline.

While Surviving Summer hasn't collected major industry awards, it has earned steady viewer approval. On the user-based aggregator it holds a 7.28 out of 10 average from 116 votes, and the young cast has been singled out by audiences for strong chemistry. Fans share clips and discuss characters online.

The show helped introduce international viewers to the Great Ocean Road as more than a postcard, highlighting surf culture, small town life and local scenery, and local music scenes. Its surf-centered setting and teen relationships made it popular among younger viewers on social platforms, where scenes and fashion details are often shared.

Critics and viewers have noted the series' warm tone, strong ensemble performances and bright seaside cinematography. Central themes include identity, belonging, chosen family and growing up in a small town, with episodes mixing light surf sequences and more serious scenes about family tension, loyalty and learning to trust others.