The wait is almost over for Home and Away fans, and if the newly released trailer is anything to go by, Summer Bay is preparing to roar back to life with heartbreak, heroism,

and long-awaited reunions. After leaving viewers reeling with one of the most devastating cliffhangers in recent memory, Channel 7 has officially confirmed when

Australia’s longest-running drama will return in 2026 — and the new year promises to begin with chaos, courage, and emotional reckonings that will ripple across the beachside town.

The Official Return Date: Mark Your Calendars

Fans can officially circle Monday, January 19, 2026, as the date Home and Away storms back onto screens. New episodes will air at 7.00pm on Channel 7 and will also be available to stream on 7plus, ensuring viewers won’t miss a moment of the fallout from the explosive season finale.

The show signed off for 2025 on November 19, ending with a dramatic triple-episode event that left audiences stunned and emotionally drained. The nearly two-month hiatus has only intensified anticipation, with fans desperate for answers after one of the most harrowing disasters the series has ever staged.

A Catastrophe That Changed Everything

The 2025 finale centred on a catastrophic train derailment involving a party train bound for the Off the Rails music festival in Broken Hill. In a chilling twist, the train derailed inside a tunnel — trapping passengers in darkness, panic, and chaos.

Among those on board were several Summer Bay locals: Justin, Mackenzie, Remy, Abigail, Dana, Sonny, Lacy, Joe, and Eddie. As the episode unfolded, the scale of the disaster became horrifyingly clear. Screaming metal, collapsing debris, and the desperate cries of injured passengers created one of the most intense sequences the soap has ever delivered.

In true Home and Away fashion, the episode ended without revealing who would survive. The final moments showed Remy and Mackenzie lying unconscious, their fates unknown as the screen cut to black — a gut-punch that left fans shaken.

Adding emotional complexity to the tragedy was Eddie’s proposal to Joe, delivered just moments before the derailment. Joe’s hesitation — and lack of an answer — became a talking point for viewers, especially supporters of “Team Tane,” who felt the unresolved tension was both a relief and a ticking emotional time bomb.

Rescue, Defiance, and Life-or-Death Decisions

As 2026 begins, the show wastes no time plunging back into the wreckage. The new trailer reveals that the opening episodes will focus on frantic rescue efforts, with lives hanging in the balance.

Levi Fowler and Tane Parata emerge as central figures in the unfolding crisis. Levi is seen clashing with Constable Cash Newman, demanding access to the tunnel despite police restrictions. Tane, driven by instinct and loyalty, ultimately defies orders and enters the tunnel himself — a move that perfectly encapsulates Home and Away’s enduring theme of ordinary people risking everything for those they love.

Other haunting images include Sergeant David Langham surveying the devastation and paramedics wheeling out a body covered with a white sheet. The show deliberately withholds the victim’s identity, ensuring viewers are left guessing — and fearing — the worst.

It’s clear that not everyone will emerge unscathed, and the emotional consequences of the crash are set to ripple through Summer Bay long after the dust settles.

A Nostalgic Gift: Brax and Ricky Return

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the trailer delivers a moment of pure fan service with the confirmation that Brax Braxton and Ricky Sharpe are returning to Home and Away in 2026.

Played by Steve Peacocke and Bonnie Sveen, the beloved duo last appeared on the show in 2016. Their return marks a major moment for long-term viewers who followed Brax’s journey from dangerous River Boy to devoted partner.

Introduced in 2011 alongside his brothers Heath and Casey, Brax quickly became one of the show’s most iconic characters. Ricky’s arrival in 2013 transformed his storyline, with their romance becoming one of Home and Away’s most emotionally resonant relationships.

Many of their new scenes have reportedly been filmed in Western Australia, giving their return a fresh visual backdrop while maintaining the emotional continuity fans cherish.

Veteran actor Ray Meagher, who plays Alf Stewart, has spoken warmly about reuniting with Steve Peacocke.
“It was fantastic,” he told TV Week. “They were really good scenes — about life, what Brax wants to do, all of that.”

Familiar Faces and a Sense of Legacy

Brax and Ricky won’t be the only familiar faces anchoring the show’s legacy in 2026. The trailer confirms appearances from Alf Stewart, Roo, Leah, Marilyn, and John Palmer, reinforcing the deep roots that have kept Home and Away at the heart of Australian television for decades.

However, Meagher’s cryptic comments about Alf’s future have sparked concern among fans.
“All I can say is that at Alf’s age, driving can become an issue,” he teased — a line that has sent speculation spiralling about whether the Bay’s most iconic resident could be facing another life-altering storyline.

Fans React: Excitement, Anxiety, and Nostalgia

Following the announcement of the January 19 return date, social media erupted with emotion. Fans admitted they had spent the holiday break worrying about the characters trapped on the train.

“I can’t believe they made us wait so long after Remy and Mackenzie were unconscious,” one viewer wrote. “I was worried all through the holidays.”

Others called the tunnel disaster one of the most brutal endings in the show’s history.
“I still get goosebumps thinking about it,” another fan shared. “So many characters on the same train — someone had to die.”

The Eddie and Joe proposal moment also reignited debate, with many fans relieved Joe hadn’t said yes. Meanwhile, Tane’s heroic defiance of police orders earned widespread praise.
“That’s the true Home and Away spirit,” one viewer commented. “Tane risking everything gave me chills.”

But the loudest cheers were reserved for Brax and Ricky’s return.
“Seeing them again feels like getting my youth back,” one fan wrote. “That era of Home and Away meant everything to me.”

A High-Stakes Start to 2026

As Home and Away heads into 2026, expectations have never been higher. With unresolved cliffhangers, emotional reunions, and the promise of devastating consequences, Summer Bay is poised to deliver another unforgettable chapter.