ABC Western Queensland

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Flood watch for north-west Qld, but rain 'best Christmas gift'

It may not be the most welcome weather at the beach, but out in the west, rain is the best Christmas gift.

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 8:07pmSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Weather Forecastsby Hannah Walsh

Welcome Christmas rain in the outback while south-east Queensland swelters

A tropical low will bring heavy rain and storms to much of Queensland this week while a south-east heatwave persists.

A scarecrow Santa amongst dry bushland in northwest Queensland.

Published: SunSun 21 Dec 2025 at 8:39pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Weather Forecastsby Chloe Chomicki and Meghan Dansie

Life on a remote cattle station where 'people leave a little bit better'

The idea of life out on the edge of the desert has pulled in young people from across the country and overseas.

Sophie Bruce sitting on a deck lying back on a swag holding a puppy in her lap.

Duration: 1 minute 15 seconds

Published: FriFri 19 Dec 2025 at 12:12amSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Agricultural Workersby Hannah Walsh and Jay Carstens

Dreary weather to take sting out of south-east Queensland heat

Parts of south-east Queensland can expect a slight easing of summer heat early this week, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a 6C drop in some areas.

Published: 15 Dec 2025Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 5:06amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Weather

When Chris started to forget his famous recipes, his brother stepped in to help

Christopher Tilse has worked from dawn to dusk in a bakery most of his life. Dementia made that a challenge, but thanks to family support, he is still baking.

Published: 13 Dec 2025Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 9:22pmSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Rural and Remote Communitiesby Hannah Walsh

Farmers feel 'forgotten' as environment, land clearing laws tightened

Queensland producers say a blanket approach to environmental laws will restrict their ability to manage land sustainably and responsibly.

A man crouches in a paddock with cattle in the background.

Published: 7 Dec 2025Sun 7 Dec 2025 at 5:26amSource: ABC RuralTopic: Land Clearingby Crispian Yeomans, Megan Hughes and Brandon Long

Outback opal miners allowed to operate as surrounding land becomes national park

The Queensland government's purchase of Vergemont Station last year led to months of uncertainty for miners with tenures inside the former cattle station, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory.

Robbie Vinnicombe holding a hand pick and rock amongst red dirt.

Published: 4 Dec 2025Thu 4 Dec 2025 at 2:29amSource: ABC Western QldTopic: National Parksby Hannah Walsh and Maddelin McCosker

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 58 seconds

Source: Listen

Will the Darwin abattoir restart in 2026?

AACo has posted a strong half-yearly financial result. But what about the Darwin abattoir?

An aerial picture of AACo's Livingstone Beef abattoir outside of Darwin.

Duration: 9 minutes 54 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Beef Cattle Farmingby Matt Brann

Living with cystic fibrosis in the bush

Families in rural Queensland have spoken about why they choose to live more than 1,000 kilometres from the Queensland Children's Hospital.

young girl in red cystic fibrosis shirt standing on street

Duration: 3 minutes 39 seconds

Source: Listenby Grace Nakamura

The outback’s unlikely influencer: Mango the muster cat

A ginger cat perched on his owner’s lap on a motorbike is enough to make anyone do a double take.

A cat sitting on a woman's lap perched on the handlebars of a motorbike.

Duration: 4 minutes 29 seconds

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Beef Cattle Farmingby Hannah Walsh

ABC Radio WESTERN QUEENSLAND

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with Michael Pavlich

2:00am to6:00am

Play Live Radio Schedule

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Life on Adria Downs, one of Australia's most remote cattle stations

Life on one of Australia's most remote cattle stations.

A river running through a landscape as the sun is setting.

Duration: 1 minute 15 seconds

Source: ABC Western Qld

Cooper Creek Barge

A livestock carrying barge named ‘Margaret’ has come to the rescue of pastoralists isolated by floodwaters that closed the Birdsville Track.

Duration: 12 minutes 5 seconds

Source: ABC News

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

Features

Life on a remote cattle station where 'people leave a little bit better'

The idea of life out on the edge of the desert has pulled in young people from across the country and overseas.

Duration: 1 minute 15 seconds

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Agricultural Workersby Hannah Walsh and Jay Carstens

Buying a business and place to live for the price of a house in Brisbane

As the Winton Hotel in outback Queensland changes hands, an accommodation broker says the cost of housing in coastal areas is driving outback pub and hotel sales, as a place to live and do business.

Kay Trembath stands behind bar of Winton Hotel.

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Pubs, Taverns and Barsby Hannah Walsh

Move over muster dogs — there's a new cat in town

Raised alongside working dogs, Mango isn't your average feline and comes complete with his own Facebook page, loyal followers and fan mail.

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Rural and Remote Communitiesby Hannah Walsh

Australia's top rail journeys for tourists wanting to take it all in

Forget about being crammed on a suburban train, the real romance of rail is found through luxury long-distance inland trips or journeys back in time.

Source: ABC BallaratTopic: Trainsby Gavin McGrath

What's happening

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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

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: 17 Dec 2025Wed 17 Dec 2025 at 5:08amSource: ABC EmergencyTopic: Bushfires

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The ABC listen app connects you to the best podcasts and live radio from the presenters you know and love. Download it today and hear the world differently.

Published: 27 Aug 2024Tue 27 Aug 2024 at 4:23amSource: ABC BRISBANE

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Published: 17 Jun 2024Mon 17 Jun 2024 at 1:53amSource: ABC BRISBANE

Qld Sport

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

A fellowship of sailors will embark on She's 23rd Sydney to Hobart campaign. As they do they will honour one of the most resilient boats in the race's history and remember late owner Peter Rodgers.

A crew of eight sailors seated or crouching on board a boat, posing before the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sailing

Stokes defends teammates as Archer's Ashes ends

England's disastrous Ashes tour has received another blow with Jofra Archer ruled out of the remaining two Tests while skipper Ben Stokes has dug in to defend his beleaguered team.

Joffrs Archer during England's tour match at Lilac Hill.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Cricket

English cricket investigating Duckett social media video

A video said to feature Ben Duckett is under ECB investigation in another problem for England's disastrous Ashes tour.

Ben Duckett looks dejected. wears helmet and cricket whites.

Duration: 1 minute 18 seconds

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Ashes

Re-Spin: Mark Schwarzer on Australian football's past glories and future challenges

The Socceroos' 2005 World Cup qualifier win over Uruguay is arguably Australia's greatest sports moment. Mark Schwarzer was at the centre of it and has just been named to Sports Australia's Hall of Fame.

Mark Schwarzer lifts his arms in the air wearing a grey goalkeeper's outfit with several Australian soccer players behind.

Duration: 14 minutes

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Qld News

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Storms hit south-east Queensland on Christmas Day afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of homes.

Duration: 14 seconds

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Construction (Assembling)by Lottie Twyford

How Mackay's Filipino community maintains connection

Music, food and a festive mood are what make a Filipino Christmas Mass unique, according to organisers of a north Queensland Simbang Gabi celebration.

Vivien Hanrahan prepares a ham in her kitchen in preparation for Filipino Christmas.

Source: ABC Tropical NorthTopic: Community and Multicultural Festivalsby Liam McNally

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

Snow has arrived in the island state on Christmas morning, but hotter conditions are expected around the country, including a scorcher in the west.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Weatherby Gian De Poloni, Scout Wallen, Rebecca Trigger and Kelsey Reid

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

A fellowship of sailors will embark on She's 23rd Sydney to Hobart campaign. As they do they will honour one of the most resilient boats in the race's history and remember late owner Peter Rodgers.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sailingby Andrew McGarry

National News

King pays homage to acts of 'spontaneous bravery' in Christmas message

King Charles III pays homage to those who confronted terror at the Bondi Beach massacre, acknowledging their "spontaneous acts of bravery" in his annual Christmas message.

Britain's King Charles III during the recording of his Christmas message

Published: 1h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 3:02pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Royalty

Pope Leo asks people to think about Gaza during Christmas Day speech

During his Urbi et Orbi (city and world) speech on Christmas Day, Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to all wars and for people to think about the conditions in Gaza.

Pope Leo stands on a balcony flanked by two cardinals.

Published: 3h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 1:06pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Christmas

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Storms hit south-east Queensland on Christmas Day afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of homes.

Duration: 14 seconds

Published: 7h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 8:51amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Construction (Assembling)by Lottie Twyford

Boddington locals urged to 'leave immediately' as bushfire fast approaching

Several bushfires burning north and south of Perth have caused major power blackouts, including the entire town of Margaret River.

Duration: 10 seconds

Published: 5h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 10:21amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Bushfiresby Bridget McArthur, Madigan Landry and Gian De Poloni

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ABC Western Queensland

Flood watch for north-west Qld, but rain 'best Christmas gift'

Welcome Christmas rain in the outback while south-east Queensland swelters

Life on a remote cattle station where 'people leave a little bit better'

Dreary weather to take sting out of south-east Queensland heat

When Chris started to forget his famous recipes, his brother stepped in to help

Farmers feel 'forgotten' as environment, land clearing laws tightened

Outback opal miners allowed to operate as surrounding land becomes national park

ABC Western Queensland Local News

Will the Darwin abattoir restart in 2026?

Living with cystic fibrosis in the bush

The outback’s unlikely influencer: Mango the muster cat

ABC Radio WESTERN QUEENSLAND

Live. Overnights

Connect with ABC Western Queensland

Get the ABC Western Queensland newsletter

Life on Adria Downs, one of Australia's most remote cattle stations

Cooper Creek Barge

Outback Trumpeter Malcolm

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

Life on a remote cattle station where 'people leave a little bit better'

Buying a business and place to live for the price of a house in Brisbane

Move over muster dogs — there's a new cat in town

Australia's top rail journeys for tourists wanting to take it all in

Local news direct to your inbox

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Download our free ABC listen app

Sign up for an ABC newsletter

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

Stokes defends teammates as Archer's Ashes ends

English cricket investigating Duckett social media video

Re-Spin: Mark Schwarzer on Australian football's past glories and future challenges

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

How Mackay's Filipino community maintains connection

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

King pays homage to acts of 'spontaneous bravery' in Christmas message

Pope Leo asks people to think about Gaza during Christmas Day speech

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Boddington locals urged to 'leave immediately' as bushfire fast approaching

Other ways to listen

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