After more than three decades at the heart of Home and Away, one of Australian television’s most beloved characters is preparing to take her final steps away from Summer Bay.

Irene Roberts’ departure is not just another exit storyline — it is a deeply emotional farewell that reshapes the soul of the community she helped build, leaving friends, family,

and viewers grappling with a loss that feels profoundly personal.

In the weeks following her devastating diagnosis, Irene has done what she has always done best: tried to carry on. Determined not to alarm those around her, she pushed forward with daily routines, convinced she could outrun the reality of her failing memory. But quiet moments betrayed the truth. As confusion crept in and memories slipped away without warning, Irene was forced to confront the terrifying possibility that the people she loves most could one day become strangers.

In one of the most heartbreaking images of the storyline, Irene is seen carefully writing names and dates on the backs of her treasured photographs — a silent act of preparation for a future she fears. Each pen stroke becomes a quiet goodbye, each label a desperate attempt to preserve what time threatens to erase. It is this moment, more than any diagnosis, that reveals just how frightened she truly is.

With gentle encouragement from Jon, Irene finally finds the strength to confide in Leah. The conversation is raw, emotional, and painfully honest — and it marks the beginning of a series of life-altering decisions. Refusing to let her illness define her as a burden, Irene makes the shock move to sell her share of the diner to Leah, believing her best friend will protect the place that has meant so much to her life.

But that decision is only the beginning.

Just days later, Irene stuns Summer Bay by announcing she is selling her house and leaving town altogether. The iconic beach house — a symbol of safety, second chances, and community for generations — is suddenly placed on the market. Harper and Dana, who have called it home, are left reeling. Soon, it becomes clear that newly arrived Sergeant David Langham and his daughter Joe are set to become its next custodians, signaling a profound shift in the fabric of the Bay.

The motivation behind Irene’s choice is both heartbreaking and inspiring. After a night of music and laughter with Sunny — who briefly reminds her what it feels like to live freely — Irene makes a bold decision. Rather than wait for her world to shrink, she wants to expand it. She wants to travel. She wants to reconnect with old friends. And most importantly, she wants to do it while she can still remember them.

“I want to see people while I still know who they are,” she explains — a line that lands with devastating force.

Her plan is ambitious. Irene intends to begin her journey in Cyprus, visiting her grandson Luke, before continuing across the globe to reconnect with the people and places that shaped her life. Despite fierce resistance from John, Leah, and Alf — who worry she’ll have nowhere to return to and no financial security for future care — Irene refuses to back down. This is her choice, and for once, she is determined to live entirely on her own terms.

Eventually, her friends rally around her. Plans are made. Bags are packed. The house that once echoed with laughter, arguments, and late-night conversations is stripped bare. For the first time in decades, the living room stands almost empty — save for the board where Irene’s world tour has been carefully mapped out.

But one person cannot accept what is happening.

Jon, one of Irene’s closest confidants, is unraveling. The thought of losing her — not to death, but to distance — is unbearable. Unable to find the words, he avoids the inevitable, pretending that time has not already run out. “I don’t know how to say goodbye,” he admits. “I don’t have the words.”

As Irene decides she wants to leave Summer Bay in style, she asks for one final celebration — a proper send-off, filled with music, laughter, and love. In record time, Leah, Alf, Marilyn, Justin, and Theo organize a beachside farewell. The entire town gathers to honor a woman who has given them everything.

There are speeches. Tears. Memories shared under the open sky. Justin and Theo perform a special musical tribute, sending emotions soaring. It is a celebration of Irene’s life, her resilience, and her immeasurable impact.

Yet one absence looms large.

Jon is nowhere to be seen.

As the sun begins to set and Irene prepares to close this chapter, the question hangs heavy in the air: will Jon find the courage to say goodbye, or will regret become his final memory?

Fans can take some comfort in knowing the answer. Promotional material confirms that Jon does arrive — just in time — ensuring Irene does not leave without hearing the words she needs most.

Behind the scenes, the emotion has been just as real. Actress Lynne McGranger has described filming Irene’s final scenes as some of the most difficult and meaningful of her career. “We think we’re just making television,” she reflected, “but I’ve realized that in some ways, this show is a lifeline for people. Irene has had an impact — and that’s an incredible honor.”

After 33 years, Irene Roberts’ farewell is more than an exit. It is a reminder of why Home and Away has endured: because its characters grow old with us, struggle with us, and leave us changed when they go.

There will be tears. There will be heartbreak. And when Irene finally walks away from Summer Bay, she takes a piece of its heart with her — forever.