Home and Away’s 2026 storyline promises a powerful mix of romance, secrecy, and tragedy. Early next year, after months of uncertainty, Joe and Tarn finally agree to explore their relationship. Though optimistic, they immediately run into complications — especially with Joe’s family. When David hears from Lacy that the pair are together, he becomes alarmed after finding Tarn’s criminal file stacked among cases awaiting review. Tarn remains under a strict seven-year rehabilitation order for kidnapping baby Poppy the previous year, and although this would normally be handled by a junior officer, David personally takes over the assessment.
He heads to Parata’s home to confront Tarn directly. Tarn claims he has nothing to hide, but the conversation grows tense when David asks whether Joe knows about his past. Realizing the truth will soon reach her, Tarn sits Joe down and reveals the entire story about Poppy. Joe admits the situation is troubling, but she believes Tarn acted out of concern, not malice, and reassures him that it does not change how she feels. Unfortunately, David witnesses their embrace from his car and becomes even more frustrated, convinced Joe is ignoring clear warning signs.
Tarn insists to David that he was honest with Joe, but David pushes back, reminding him how fragile she has been since her mother’s death. With all the turmoil Tarn has endured, David believes Joe deserves stability, not more chaos. His words weigh heavily on Tarn, leading Tarn to abruptly break things off with Joe without offering a clear explanation. The next day, Tarn apologizes for confusing her, but still refuses to explain his sudden change of heart. Hurt and frustrated, Joe tells him their relationship is over. Moments later, Tarn admits he was only scared he wasn’t good enough for her. With the truth finally out, Joe kisses him and asks whether he truly wants to be with her. When he says yes, they retreat to a private motel where their feelings quickly escalate.
Joe, however, asks him to keep their renewed romance hidden. She doesn’t want Lacy celebrating too early after Theo’s recent death. But secrecy doesn’t last long. Lacy soon discovers messages from the motel on Joe’s phone and realizes exactly what happened. Though Joe now feels ready to make their relationship public, Tarn is still rattled by David’s warnings and pushes to keep things quiet. Joe gets her man — but, as always in Summer Bay, nothing stays simple for long.
Trouble escalates when Remy announces he has recruited the first artist for his “Back on Track” label — Eddie Shepherd, a local music teacher. With Eden’s help, Remy and Sunny convince Eddie to join the label, despite their resources being nowhere near ready. As Eddie travels to Summer Bay, he crosses paths with David. Viewers soon learn that Eddie and Joe were once a couple for years, but Joe broke up with him after her mother passed away.
Joe becomes torn between continuing her secret romance with Tarn or reconnecting with Eddie. She cancels her date with Tarn to see Eddie instead, and Tarn spots them together on the beach. When he confronts her, Joe admits she wants to see what remains between her and Eddie. Tarn reluctantly steps back, left waiting for Joe’s decision.
David later reveals that Eddie had once asked him and Christina for permission to propose to Joe the night before Christina died. This emotional revelation rekindles Joe and Eddie’s bond, and they soon share a kiss. Yet Lacy’s advice makes Joe wonder if she is simply choosing the safer option instead of something new and exciting with Tarn. When she attempts to reconnect with Tarn, he refuses — he has seen how close she is to Eddie and refuses to be toyed with. Joe returns to Eddie, but her heart is still divided.
Meanwhile, Sunny decides Eddie deserves a major debut and pulls strings to secure him an unexpected performance slot at Off the Rails — a huge festival in Broken Hill. A special train is arranged to take Summer Bay residents to the event. Friends and familiar faces gather at Yabi Creek Station in late February for the season finale. Among the group are Joe, Lacy, McKenzie, Levi, Abigail, Dana, and others. The mood is festive… until Eddie unexpectedly proposes to Joe on the train.
Before she can answer, disaster strikes. In a dark tunnel, abandoned bicycles left by terrified graffiti-tagging teens cause the train to derail violently. The carriage tips, passengers are thrown everywhere, and chaos erupts.
As Australia ends the season on a cliffhanger, viewers are desperate to know who survives the horrific crash. Online debates rage — fans argue fiercely over Joe’s love triangle while speculating which character will die. Producers promise that the aftermath of the accident will shape Summer Bay throughout 2026, with Joe’s final choice influenced by devastating consequences still to come.