Summer Bay is almost ready to reopen its doors, and Home and Away fans won’t have to wait long to find out what happens after one of the show’s most nerve-shredding finales. As Australians ease into the new year, Channel 7’s iconic soap is gearing up for a dramatic return, and the newly unveiled preview makes one thing clear: 2026 will begin with danger, emotion, and long-awaited answers.

The countdown officially ends on Monday, January 19, when Home and Away storms back onto screens at 7:00 pm on Channel 7 and 7plus. The 2025 season wrapped up on November 19 with a massive triple-episode finale that left viewers stunned and desperate for answers. Nearly two months later, the fallout from that cliffhanger is finally set to unfold.

The explosive finale revolved around a horrifying train derailment involving a party train heading to the Off the Rails music festival near Broken Hill. The train crashed inside a tunnel, trapping multiple Summer Bay residents in the wreckage. Among those caught up in the disaster were Justin, Mackenzie, Remi, Abigail, Dana, Sunny, Lacy, Joe, and Eddie. True to Home and Away tradition, the episode ended without confirming who survived. The final images of Remi and Mackenzie lying unconscious sent chills through fans as the screen faded to black.

Adding emotional weight to the chaos, Eddie had just proposed to Joe moments before the crash. Joe hesitated, leaving the question unanswered—something that thrilled some viewers and crushed others. Any romantic tension, however, was instantly eclipsed by the scale of the disaster, setting the stage for a grim and uncertain start to 2026.

The first episodes of the new year promise intense rescue efforts and potentially devastating consequences. The trailer shows Levi Fowler desperately demanding access to the tunnel, clashing with Constable Cash Newman, while Tarn Parata ultimately defies police orders and heads inside to help. Sergeant David Langum surveys the wreckage, and one chilling moment shows an ambulance receiving what appears to be a body covered with a white sheet—leaving fans terrified about who may not make it out alive.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the trailer delivers a massive dose of nostalgia with the confirmed return of Brax and Ricky, played by Steven Peacocke and Bonnie Sweeney. Last seen in 2016, the fan-favourite couple’s comeback is a huge moment for longtime viewers. Brax, introduced in 2011 as part of the River Boys, and Ricky, who arrived in 2013, became one of the show’s most beloved pairings. Their new scenes, filmed largely in Western Australia, promise reflection, growth, and unfinished business.

Ray Meagher has spoken warmly about reuniting with Peacocke, hinting that Brax’s storyline will focus on life choices and the road ahead. Familiar faces including Roo, Leah, Marilyn, and John Palmer also appear, reinforcing the show’s strong sense of legacy. Still, Meagher’s cryptic tease about Alf—suggesting that driving could become an issue—has left fans uneasy.

Unsurprisingly, social media erupted following the return date announcement. Viewers shared excitement, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion after months of waiting. Many called the train crash one of the most brutal endings in the show’s history, while others celebrated the return of Brax and Ricky as a nostalgic gift.

As Home and Away enters 2026, expectations are sky-high. With unresolved danger, beloved characters returning, and Summer Bay once again at the center of life-changing drama, one thing is certain: this comeback will be anything but quiet.