In this emotional and suspenseful chapter of Home and Away, John Palmer’s life takes an unexpected turn as grief, friendship, and fear collide during a camping trip that begins as a healing escape but ends in terror.

John has been adrift ever since his dearest friend Irene left Summer Bay. Their farewell was painful—he nearly avoided her leaving party altogether, wallowing in solitude until Justin coaxed him into attending. Irene’s parting gift, a flight to Paris and the promise of a reunion under the Eiffel Tower, briefly lifted his spirits, but once she departed, the emptiness hit harder than ever. Desperate to keep loneliness at bay, John invited his closest circle—Justin, Leah, Alf, and Marilyn—for dinner at Salt. In an unusual show of generosity, he covered the bill, trying to mask his heartache with cheer. Though he proudly updated them on Irene’s travels, even raising a toast in her honor, his façade cracked when he was left alone, shedding silent tears on the balcony.

Sensing his vulnerability, Justin arranged a poker night with Alf and newcomer David. The game escalated into real gambling, costing John $300, but paradoxically, he relished the camaraderie. Energized by the evening, he began to push for more group activities, even handing Justin a magazine packed with suggestions. When Justin gently reined him in, hinting that constant gatherings weren’t realistic, Mali overheard and saw an opportunity to help.

Determined to give John a meaningful distraction, Mali planned a camping trip into the bush, inviting both John and Tane. For Tane, the getaway was also timely; life at home had grown tense after he welcomed Harper and her baby into his space, and though some peace had been restored, unresolved feelings lingered. The trio agreed to the trip, seeking both adventure and escape.

At first, the excursion unfolded with warmth and humor. John, clearly touched by the gesture, filled the drive with stories of his naval past, holding his friends captive with endless anecdotes. On arrival, he declared their campsite “paradise,” though it soon became clear that wilderness living was not his strong suit. Struggling to pitch his tent, fumbling with supplies, and falling victim to playful pranks—such as being tricked into believing he’d eaten kangaroo droppings—John nonetheless enjoyed the laughter and companionship. For a brief moment, the trip seemed to restore the lightness he had lost.

But as night fell, the atmosphere darkened. Sitting around the campfire, Mali began sharing traditional Indigenous legends, tales far more haunting than John anticipated. Among them was the terrifying story of the Hairy Man, a creature said to roam the bush. While Tane listened with a smile, John was visibly rattled, his bravado slipping away.

When the campfire burned low and the others drifted toward sleep, John retreated uneasily to his tent. Every noise—the rustling of leaves, the crack of branches, the distant calls of unseen animals—fed his imagination. His mind replayed Mali’s words until the legend of the Hairy Man loomed over him like a shadow. Sleep evaded him as fear took hold.

By morning, the toll of a sleepless night was evident. Exhausted and jittery, John distracted himself by preparing breakfast, though he moved hurriedly, convinced that disturbing the bush might invite danger. His paranoia alarmed both Tane and Mali, who couldn’t understand why he was suddenly so eager to cut the trip short. With no choice, Mali agreed to pack up early, realizing his story had struck John more deeply than intended.

Though the adventure ended prematurely, the experience left John with unexpected clarity. His terror in the wilderness highlighted his vulnerability, but it also reminded him of the steady presence of his friends. While the Hairy Man’s imagined threat may have driven him back to Summer Bay, the bonds forged around the campfire and the laughter shared in the daylight stayed with him.

Back in familiar surroundings, John found solace in routine and community. The camping trip may have left him shaken, but it also nudged him toward healing. Instead of drowning in loneliness, he began to see the value of the connections still around him. Irene’s absence still stung, but the terrifying night in the bush revealed something essential: he wasn’t truly alone.

What began as a simple camping trip turned into a test of courage, vulnerability, and resilience. For John Palmer, the wilderness brought fear—but also the first steps toward embracing life again in Summer Bay.