ABC Western Queensland

Latest

Record year for Birdsville Races as punters come from far and wide

People from across the country travel to Birdsville for the annual races, while an iconic boxing tent marks the end of an era.

A jockey held up by crowd holding a big gold trophy.

Published: YesterdaySun 7 Sep 2025 at 3:50amSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Travel and Tourismby Hannah Walsh and Heidi Sheehan

Ringers from the Top End compete in CPC station challenge

About 140 workers from CPC stations in Queensland, WA and the Northern Territory have battled it out in a range of events.

Duration: 10 minutes 18 seconds

Published: FriFri 5 Sep 2025 at 5:51amSource: ListenTopic: Beef Cattle Farmingby Matt Brann

Qld prepares for hot, windy weekend with high fire danger at Birdsville Races

Travellers in Channel Country and the state's south-west are urged to be aware of high fire danger conditions and strong winds.

A close up of the horses at he Birdsville races 2018

Published: FriFri 5 Sep 2025 at 4:13amSource: ABC Southern QldTopic: Weatherby Aisling Brennan and Dan McCray

Outback women don't shy from one of the world's most dangerous sports

Sidelined in the sport's history by the words "women don't do that", female bronc riders are proving they not only do it but do it thrillingly well — and the sport is taking notice.

Three women in pink shirts, jeans and chaps with their hands infront of them standing infront of a car in a red dirt arena.

Published: 30 Aug 2025Sat 30 Aug 2025 at 9:00pmSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Womenby Hannah Walsh and Abbey Halter

Nephew of Australian music royalty takes rock to outback kids

Fronted by the kin of Aussie music royalty, Elvis Kernaghan and The Min Min Lights turn outback classrooms into rock concerts.

a silhouette image of a mag singing while the sun sets behind him

Published: 29 Aug 2025Fri 29 Aug 2025 at 11:23pmSource: ABC North West QldTopic: Musicby Maddie Nixon

During floods and bushfires, bush choppers are ready at any moment

From the cockpit of his chopper, Jedd Manning is dropping supplies to disaster-affected areas one day and rounding up rebellious cattle the next.

A pilot wearing a cap sits in the cockpit of a helicopter inside a hangar.

Published: 29 Aug 2025Fri 29 Aug 2025 at 8:30pmSource: ABC CapricorniaTopic: Rural and Remote Communitiesby Aaron Kelly

Emergency services and councils in outback Queensland turn to Starlink

Emergency services in the Queensland outback increasingly turn to low earth orbit satellites rather than Telstra towers for reliable internet connection.

woman in country hat holding phone to ear as sun sets

Published: 28 Aug 2025Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 8:52pmSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Mobile and Internet Accessby Grace Nakamura and Hannah Walsh

Listen back

ABC Western Queensland Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 6:30am

A farmer standing in front of a herd of cattle; ABC Western Qld and Local News superimposed over the top.

Duration: 4 minutes 57 seconds

Source: Listen

Ringers from the Top End compete in CPC station challenge

About 140 workers from CPC stations in Queensland, WA and the Northern Territory have battled it out in a range of events.

Duration: 10 minutes 18 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Beef Cattle Farmingby Matt Brann

Meet the motorcycle-riding grandma barista

Alice Bennett loves to chase a buzz - caffeine and two wheels.

woman sitting on motorcycle wearing helmet in front of pub

Duration: 3 minutes 12 seconds

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Hospitality Industryby Peter Quattrocelli

AACo boss reflects on 'positive' FY25 results

AACo has posted an operating profit of $58.4 million, up 14 per cent year on year.

a man in a blue shirt and white broad-brimmed hat leaning on a cattle yard rail.

Duration: 11 minutes 46 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Beef Cattle Farmingby Matt Brann

ABC Radio WESTERN QUEENSLAND

Live. Evenings

with Kelly Higgins-Devine

9:00am to12:00pm

Play Live Radio Schedule

Listen on the go on ABC listen app

Watch

Outback Trumpeter Malcolm

It's hard becoming a world-class musician in outback Queensland, but Malcolm isn't giving up on his dreams.

Malcolm smiles to camera holding a trumpet in the outback somewhere near Longreach.

Duration: 2 minutes 30 seconds

Source: BTN

Helicopter pilots provided a lifeline to residents after destructive floods inundated parts of western Queensland.

Helicopter pilots provide a lifeline in a crisis for rural and remote areas of the country. Now they are gearing up for their next challenge in the bush. Supplied: Jedd Manning

Duration: 23 seconds

Source: ABC News

Ichthyosaur fossil found

A seven metre, near complete Ichthyosaur skeleton found in western Queensland has been taken to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs. Supplied: Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History

Duration: 1 minute 7 seconds

Source: ABC News

Outback Recovery: Western Queensland's devastating floods

The long road to recovery for graziers and communities affected by western Queensland's devastating floods.

Duration: 13 minutes 44 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

Outback women don't shy from one of the world's most dangerous sports

Sidelined in the sport's history by the words "women don't do that", female bronc riders are proving they not only do it but do it thrillingly well — and the sport is taking notice.

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Womenby Hannah Walsh and Abbey Halter

During floods and bushfires, bush choppers are ready at any moment

From the cockpit of his chopper, Jedd Manning is dropping supplies to disaster-affected areas one day and rounding up rebellious cattle the next.

Source: ABC CapricorniaTopic: Rural and Remote Communitiesby Aaron Kelly

From washed out to weathering on, stock losses cut deep in outback Qld

It took mere days for a lifetime of work to wash away, but graziers and outback communities are picking up the pieces months after devastating flooding.

A man in a green shirt leans on a tall wire fence in a paddock on his property.

Source: LandlineTopic: Agricultureby Maddelin McCosker

From dune to dune, man runs 380km to beat mental health struggles

After surviving his lowest point, 26-year-old Blake Bourne runs across the Simpson Desert, turning pain into purpose to raise awareness of mental health.

On a red track in the desert, man runs amid green shubbery.

Source: ABC GippslandTopic: Mental Healthby Tavleen Singh and Zaida Glibanovic

What's happening

Australia Votes: Your Vote, Your Say

This election, the ABC is asking you to be part of the conversation.

Text reads: Your Say. Tell us what's on your mind this election. Have your say here.

Published: 27 Feb 2025Thu 27 Feb 2025 at 3:05amSource: Radio

Local news direct to your inbox

ABC’s Western Queensland newsletter delivers local news and stories from your community every week. Sign up to stay connected.

a red earth plain with a red mountain in the background and a car and person in the distance on a sunny day

Published: 15 Jul 2022Fri 15 Jul 2022 at 3:48amSource: ABC Western Queensland

Top 100 Books of the 21st Century

Calling all book lovers to vote now for their favourite titles!

Published: 20 Aug 2025Wed 20 Aug 2025 at 7:04amSource: Radio

Know your ABCs in an emergency

This summer know your ABCs; action plan, be safe, connect with us. The ABC has a host of useful resources and tips on how to best prepare yourself for emergency weather so you can keep you and your household safe.

Letters A, B and C in pink, yellow and blue with small infographics of people completing emergency safety tasks

Published: 9 Dec 2024Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 5:23amSource: ABC EmergencyTopic: Bushfires

Qld Sport

The storylines to define the NRL finals

In the industry, they call it the 'second season'. Only eight teams remain as the NRL gears up for a finals series rich with storylines. What are the narratives that will define finals time?

Tom Starling jumps on Corey Horsburgh, who is hugging Hudson Young after scoring an NRL try.

Duration: 14 minutes 54 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Raiders leader in moon boot, Broncos captain confident of finals return

Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii is in serious doubt for the Raiders' qualifying final against Brisbane after suffering an ankle injury at training.

Canberra Raiders player Josh Papalii with his hands on hips, grimacing

Source: ABC NewsTopic: NRL

Queensland fans gear up for 'biggest ever' AFL game

Elated Gold Coast fans say "15 years of struggle" are finally paying off for the club, as the Suns look towards a QClash semi against Brisbane this weekend, hailed as a "massive" moment for Queensland footy.

David Swallow shouts to celebrate a goal in an AFL elimination final.

Source: ABC Gold CoastTopic: AFL

Molloy wonder goal stuns the crowd as Fish stars for Swans

Chloe Molloy kicks a stunner and Zippy Fish stars as the Swans account for the Dockers in the AFLW.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: AFL Women’s

Qld News

Inquest hears hospital could have prevented fatal assault on dementia patient

A coronial inquest into a fatal confrontation between two dementia patients at a Queensland hospital hears added security and anti-barricade doors could have stopped the attack.

Source: ABC Gold CoastTopic: Courtsby Mackenzie Colahan

Man charged with murder of Ipswich couple was 'hearing voices', court told

Lars Faleata has been charged with the murders of Christine and Joe Stephan, who were found dead after a fire at their home in Ipswich — south-west of Brisbane — in January, 2022.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Courtsby Lucy Loram

Foster carers warn system 'unsustainable' as costs set to hit $7 billion

Three weeks of public hearings are due to be held in the state's far north as part of an ongoing inquiry into Queensland's child protection system.

Tasmania's child protection service had to place 23 children in refuges in the last year.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Childrenby Christopher Testa

Raiders leader in moon boot, Broncos captain confident of finals return

Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii is in serious doubt for the Raiders' qualifying final against Brisbane after suffering an ankle injury at training.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: NRL

National News

Man critically injured in Perth workplace incident

A man in his 40s has been critically injured in a workplace incident in Perth's north-east.

Front entrance of a building marked "Hoffman Engineering"

Published: 22m agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 10:21amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Accidents and Emergency Incidents

'Smoke in the cockpit': Plane's emergency landing after mayday call

The British Airways passenger flight BA16 was on its way to Singapore and made the emergency return to Sydney Airport about an hour after take-off this afternoon.

Published: 21m agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 10:22amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Air Incidentsby Jean Kennedy

Bulldogs prop forced to move out of home on eve of NRL finals

Max King has been living with a mould infestation at home that he is glad to have finally escaped in the lead-up to Friday's qualification final at Melbourne.

Max King of the Bulldogs running with the NRL ball

Published: 1h agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 9:08amSource: ABC NewsTopic: NRL

Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies dies aged 81

Rick Davies, the co-founder and lead singer for British rock band Supertramp, has died aged 81 after a decade-long battle with cancer.

Published: 1h agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 9:04amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Music

Other ways to listen

Listen online, on the ABC listen app or On Air in:

Alpha 105.7 FM
Charleville 603 AM
Julia Creek 567 AM
Longreach 540 AM
Quilpie 106.1 FM
Tambo 105.9 FM

Or ask your smart speaker to "play ABC Western Queensland"

ABC Western Queensland

Record year for Birdsville Races as punters come from far and wide

Ringers from the Top End compete in CPC station challenge

Qld prepares for hot, windy weekend with high fire danger at Birdsville Races

Outback women don't shy from one of the world's most dangerous sports

Nephew of Australian music royalty takes rock to outback kids

During floods and bushfires, bush choppers are ready at any moment

Emergency services and councils in outback Queensland turn to Starlink

ABC Western Queensland Local News

Ringers from the Top End compete in CPC station challenge

Meet the motorcycle-riding grandma barista

AACo boss reflects on 'positive' FY25 results

ABC Radio WESTERN QUEENSLAND

Live. Evenings

Connect with ABC Western Queensland

Get the ABC Western Queensland newsletter

Outback Trumpeter Malcolm

Helicopter pilots provided a lifeline to residents after destructive floods inundated parts of western Queensland.

Ichthyosaur fossil found

Outback Recovery: Western Queensland's devastating floods

Outback women don't shy from one of the world's most dangerous sports

During floods and bushfires, bush choppers are ready at any moment

From washed out to weathering on, stock losses cut deep in outback Qld

From dune to dune, man runs 380km to beat mental health struggles

Australia Votes: Your Vote, Your Say

Local news direct to your inbox

Top 100 Books of the 21st Century

Know your ABCs in an emergency

The storylines to define the NRL finals

Raiders leader in moon boot, Broncos captain confident of finals return

Queensland fans gear up for 'biggest ever' AFL game

Molloy wonder goal stuns the crowd as Fish stars for Swans

Inquest hears hospital could have prevented fatal assault on dementia patient

Man charged with murder of Ipswich couple was 'hearing voices', court told

Foster carers warn system 'unsustainable' as costs set to hit $7 billion

Raiders leader in moon boot, Broncos captain confident of finals return

Man critically injured in Perth workplace incident

'Smoke in the cockpit': Plane's emergency landing after mayday call

Bulldogs prop forced to move out of home on eve of NRL finals

Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies dies aged 81

Other ways to listen

Footer