Home and Away Spoilers – John Palmer left fearing for his life
Next week on Home and Away (UK viewers), what begins as a well-intentioned getaway to lift an old friend’s spirits spirals into an eerie and emotional journey into the wild. When Mali, Tane, and a grieving John Palmer head into the bush for a “lads’ camping trip,” an ancient legend and a sleepless night leave John shaken — and viewers on the edge of their seats.
The Void Left Behind
Since Irene’s departure for a new life in Paris, John Palmer (Shane Withington) has been a shadow of himself. Losing his closest companion has left a vacuum that no amount of bravado, poker games, or public displays of cheerfulness can conceal. Though John has tried to fill the silence with activity — from dinner at Salt to spontaneous boys’ nights — those closest to him can see the cracks in his usual upbeat facade.
It was Justin (James Stewart) who first spotted the pain behind John’s smile, quietly sharing with Leah (Ada Nicodemou) his intent to look out for him. The concern grew when John, after throwing himself into a poker night, suffered a bruising loss to Alf (Ray Meagher) — both financially and emotionally.
Though he later bounced back with newfound energy and a list of suggested group activities, it became clear to Justin that John’s enthusiasm stemmed from desperation rather than genuine happiness. And when John’s eager suggestions were met with polite deflection, he once again retreated into himself — this time noticed by someone new.
Mali Steps Up: A Camping Trip is Born
Enter Mali Hudson (Kyle Shilling), who sees John’s loneliness and decides it’s time for something bigger than cards and pub dinners. Believing that nature might offer the peace John so desperately needs, Mali quickly hatches a plan: a spontaneous camping trip deep in the National Park. “Pack your gear,” he tells John. “We leave in an hour.”
John, initially hesitant, is ultimately won over by Mali’s energy — and the promise of learning a few “Blackfella secrets,” as Mali puts it with a knowing smile. The term, used by many Indigenous Australians to refer to themselves, signals that Mali’s not just offering tents and marshmallows — he’s offering a cultural connection, a shared space, and perhaps, a way for John to find healing.
Tane Parata (Ethan Browne) also signs on at the last minute, needing a change of scenery himself. The recent awkwardness with Harper (Jessica Redmayne), who has started dating again, is weighing on him. A few days away from the Bay might be just what he needs.
Into the Wild: Campfire Stories and Creeping Shadows
As the trio journeys into the bush, John begins to warm up, regaling the group with old stories from his Navy days. But once they arrive, his tendency to take charge emerges quickly, offering self-appointed advice on the “correct” way to set up camp — much to Tane’s amusement, and mild irritation.
The tone quickly lightens as the self-proclaimed camping expert struggles to pitch his own tent, and Tane becomes the butt of one of Mali’s mischievous jokes — mistaking kangaroo droppings for trail mix.
But as night falls and the fire is lit, the laughter gives way to tension.
Gathered around the flickering flames, Mali shares an unsettling story from his childhood — his first brush with the Hairy Man, a legendary creature spoken of in Aboriginal folklore. He admits that he used to believe the Hairy Man was just a story… until he and his brother saw something strange in the shadows on a deserted street.
His voice low and serious, Mali tells John and Tane that the key to keeping the Hairy Man at bay is simple: keep the fire burning.
John tries to laugh it off, but the unease settles around him like a blanket. Still skeptical but spooked enough to act, he heads off to collect more firewood.
Something in the Night
That night, under the cover of darkness, John lies awake in his tent, ears straining. Rustling. Scratching. Breathing? The sounds outside the thin canvas are not easily dismissed. As shadows flicker and dance, John lies rigid, fear gnawing at him with every breeze.
By morning, he’s up early and already cooking breakfast — though it’s clear he’s had little sleep. Tane and Mali, both well-rested, are greeted by a high-alert John, who wastes no time interrogating them about the night’s noises.
Tane teases that perhaps the Hairy Man made an appearance, but John stands firm. “I wasn’t scared,” he insists. “Just cautious.” The grin shared between Tane and Mali suggests they suspect otherwise.
As Tane steps away to check in with Harper, John continues to guard the fire — long after it’s necessary. When he offhandedly asks what happens if the fire does go out, Mali doubles down on the tale: “If he makes eye contact, or touches you… you become the Hairy Man yourself.”
The colour drains from John’s face.
A Legend’s True Purpose
Sleep-deprived and visibly rattled, John suddenly remembers urgent surf club matters needing his attention. It’s time to return to the Bay. Mali is disappointed, and Tane quickly realizes what’s happening: the legend has worked a little too well.
But all is revealed in a moment of honesty — and mischief. Tane confesses to Mali that he may have gone for a “little wander” the night before… snapping a few branches, tossing a rock into the creek. It was never meant to scare John out of his wits, only to distract him.
“If he’s thinking about the Hairy Man,” Tane explains, “he’s not thinking about Irene.”
It’s a moment that reframes the entire trip: not just a getaway, but an act of care disguised as mischief. As John packs up, still wary but cracking a smile, the three share a moment of unspoken understanding.
A Farewell, and a Future
As they prepare to return to the Bay, John lightens up. He reveals that he’ll be visiting Irene in Paris in a few weeks — a trip that brings a visible twinkle back into his eyes. But until then, Mali reminds him gently, “You’ve got a lot of friends here.”
And with a final grin, Mali leans in: “I never would’ve let the Hairy Man get to you. I promise.”
Why It Matters
While this episode delivers laughs and a hint of spooky suspense, its heart lies in the raw, human emotions just beneath the surface. It’s about friendship, loss, and the different ways we try to pull each other out of the dark. Whether it’s poker nights, campfire tales, or harmless pranks — sometimes, the biggest comfort comes from simply being seen.
And as John steps back into the Bay with his spirits lifted and his mind focused forward, Home and Away reminds us once again why it remains one of television’s most beloved dramas: its uncanny ability to blend humour, folklore, and heartbreak — all under the same starry sky.
Don’t miss these heartwarming — and hair-raising — moments next week on Home and Away, airing on Channel 5 in the UK.