Get ready for a chilling twist in Home and Away next week, as beloved Summer Bay local John Palmer finds himself in an unexpected and terrifying situation. What begins as a lighthearted camping

trip designed to lift his spirits quickly spirals into a night of fear, mystery, and psychological tension — leaving John convinced that something sinister is lurking in the dark.

After weeks of struggling with loneliness following Irene’s sudden departure, John’s friends Marley and Tane decide to take matters into their own hands. They plan a weekend getaway in the great outdoors,

hoping that a change of scenery will give John a much-needed boost. But the peaceful camping retreat soon turns into a nightmare that none of them see coming.

A Plan to Heal Old Wounds

Since Irene’s exit from the Bay, John has been trying to mask his pain with forced cheerfulness and busy social gatherings. He even treated his friends to dinner at Salt, pretending everything was fine. But his emotional facade quickly crumbled when Justin noticed his quiet despair. After a private breakdown, Justin confided in Leah, vowing to keep an eye on their old friend.

When Marley sees how downcast John remains, he steps in with a bold idea — a boys’ camping trip deep in the national park. He hopes that time away from the Bay, surrounded by nature and friendship, will help John rediscover his spark. At first, John is hesitant. But Marley’s infectious enthusiasm and promise to share some “Blackfella secrets” — stories rooted in Indigenous legend — finally win him over.

Tane initially refuses to join, feeling awkward after Harper’s recent romantic developments, but soon changes his mind. A few hours later, the trio hits the road, unaware that their weekend in the wilderness is about to take a dark turn.

Campfire Tales and Creeping Dread

The trip begins on a cheerful note. John entertains the boys with tales from his Navy days as they set up camp beneath the stars. Despite his confidence, his “expert” camping advice quickly falls apart when he struggles to pitch his tent — much to Tane’s amusement. The laughter continues when Marley tricks Tane into believing he’s eaten kangaroo droppings, breaking the tension and bringing genuine smiles all around.

But as night falls and the fire crackles, the mood shifts. Marley begins to share a haunting childhood story — an encounter with “the Hairy Man,” a shadowy figure from Aboriginal legend said to haunt those who venture too deep into the bush. He recalls being saved from the creature as a boy, and warns his friends that they’ll be safe — but only if they keep the fire burning through the night.

John tries to laugh it off, but the story unnerves him more than he’d like to admit. Determined to shake the feeling, he gathers extra firewood, muttering to himself that it’s “better to be safe than sorry.” Yet later, alone in his tent, strange sounds start to echo through the darkness — heavy breathing, scratching, and the unmistakable snap of twigs just outside his shelter. Shadows flicker across the tent walls, and John lies awake, heart pounding, convinced he’s being watched.

Fear Takes Hold

By dawn, John is a nervous wreck. While Tane and Marley emerge from their tents well-rested and carefree, John insists that something was out there during the night. “I heard it breathing,” he says, his voice trembling. “Something was scratching at the tent.”

The others tease him good-naturedly, suggesting he’s letting Marley’s ghost story get to him. But John isn’t amused — and he refuses to let the campfire die, insisting it’s “just a precaution.” When he asks Marley what would happen if the fire went out, Marley plays along, claiming that if the Hairy Man makes eye contact or touches you, you become one yourself.

That’s all it takes to send John spiraling into paranoia. His sleep-deprived mind begins to play tricks on him, every rustle of leaves setting him on edge. Even in the daylight, he feels an unseen presence just beyond the trees.

The Prank Revealed

Unbeknownst to John, the real culprit behind the nighttime noises wasn’t supernatural at all. Tane confesses to Marley that he couldn’t sleep and decided to play a harmless prank — snapping branches, tossing rocks, and making eerie sounds to spook John. “I thought if he was worried about the Hairy Man, he wouldn’t be thinking about Irene,” Tane explains with a grin.

Marley can’t help but laugh, though he admits the joke may have gone too far. When John suddenly declares that he’s cutting the trip short to take care of “urgent surf club business,” both men realize just how rattled he truly is. Despite their protests, John begins packing up his things, still glancing nervously over his shoulder as if expecting something — or someone — to emerge from the bush.

A Bittersweet Ending

Before they leave, Marley and Tane exchange knowing smiles, realizing their attempt to cheer John up has taken an unexpected detour. Yet as they drive back to Summer Bay, John finally cracks a small smile of his own. “You boys went to a lot of trouble to get me out here,” he admits. “I appreciate it — even if you nearly scared me to death.”

Marley reassures him that the intention was never to frighten him, promising with a laugh, “I’d never let the Hairy Man get to you, mate.”

By the time they return to the Bay, John’s mood has lifted. Though the experience was terrifying, it reminded him of the value of friendship — and perhaps even gave him something to laugh about later. He surprises the boys by announcing that he plans to visit Irene in Paris soon. Marley grins, happy to see his old friend looking forward again.

What’s Next for John Palmer?

The camping trip may have started as a harmless getaway, but it becomes a turning point for John. Haunted by isolation and fear, he’s forced to confront not only his imagination but also the deep loneliness that’s been haunting him since Irene’s departure. His friends’ unconventional attempt to cheer him up may have gone sideways, but in the end, it helps him rediscover a piece of himself — the side that can still find humor, courage, and companionship even in the face of fear.

In classic Home and Away fashion, the episode balances heartfelt emotion with humor and suspense, reminding fans that even in the sun-drenched calm of Summer Bay, darkness can find its way in. Whether it’s through old legends or the ghosts of one’s own mind, the line between reality and imagination is never quite clear — especially when the fire starts to fade.