ABC Radio Brisbane
| Company type | Public broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | January 7, 1938 (as 4QR) |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
Area served | Queensland |
Key people | Anthony Frangi (Local Manager), Matthew Connors (Content Director) |
| Products | Radio broadcasting |
| Owner | Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
| Website | www |
ABC Radio Brisbane (callsign: 4QR) operates as an ABC Local Radio outlet based in Brisbane, Queensland. Ranking among the network's largest stations, it functions as a central production point for Queensland content, with numerous programs relayed throughout the ABC Local Radio network serving regional and rural areas when local stations are off-air.
General history
Radio transmission in Brisbane commenced in 1925 with the Queensland Government’s station 4QG, which integrated into the ABC network upon its formation in 1932. The ABC introduced a second Brisbane station, 4QR, on 7 January 1938 to provide national programming, while 4QG concentrated on local broadcasts. In 1963, the roles reversed: 4QR assumed responsibility for local content, and 4QG (later renamed 4RN) took over national programming to minimize interruptions caused by parliamentary sessions.
Until December 2006, ABC Radio Brisbane operated out of studios located at 600 Coronation Drive, Toowong. After multiple breast cancer diagnoses among staff, the premises were permanently vacated, resulting in the relocation of approximately 350 employees across television, radio, and online departments. The station then transmitted from Lissner Street, Toowong until January 2012 when it moved to a newly established facility in South Bank. The original Coronation Drive property was sold and demolished in 2014.
In September 2006, ABC Radio Brisbane facilitated the worldwide broadcast of Steve Irwin’s memorial service held at Australia Zoo. The ABC Brisbane Centre, designed by architect Richard Kirk and constructed by Leighton Contractors, officially opened its doors in 2012.
Technical history
Radio 4QR commenced broadcasting on 7 January 1938 under Commonwealth ownership without holding an official licence; transmission infrastructure was managed by the Postmaster-General's Department while programming was supplied by the ABC. The station received its first formal licence in 1992 under the Broadcasting Services Act.
Initially transmitting on 940 kHz, the station’s frequency was altered several times due to regulatory adjustments: moving to 590 kHz in 1948, then to 580 kHz during the early 1970s, and finally settling on 612 kHz in 1978 following international agreements.
Power output expanded from an original 500 Watts to 50 kW by the early 1960s to broaden coverage and reduce signal interference. Since its inception, Radio 4QR has broadcast from a notable dual vertical radiator mast located at Bald Hills on Brisbane’s outskirts, sharing this infrastructure with sister station 4QG (now known as 4RN).
In March 2025, amid Tropical Cyclone Alfred, ABC Radio Brisbane temporarily simulcasted on 106.1 FM—the usual frequency for ABC Classic—to enhance emergency broadcast reach. When severe weather disrupted the Bald Hills AM transmitter on 9 March, the FM channel served as the primary emergency broadcaster until AM transmissions were restored later that day. This simulcast concluded on 11 March as recovery efforts progressed and ABC Classic resumed normal FM programming.
Local programs
Breakfast airs weekdays from 5am to 7:45am on ABC Radio Brisbane, featuring a mix of news updates, sports coverage, weather reports, financial information, discussions, and live traffic updates. ABC News bulletins are presented every half-hour during this program. It has maintained a leading position in Brisbane radio audience ratings over recent years.
Spencer Howson hosted Breakfast for fifteen years (1997–2000 and again from 2006–2016) before departing in November 2016. In 2017, Craig Zonca, formerly presenter of the Queensland Country Hour, succeeded him and was later joined by Rebecca Levingston in 2018. In 2019, Levingston transitioned to co-host Mornings alongside Loretta Ryan, while Zonca continued presenting Breakfast.
Mornings broadcasts from 8:30am until 11:00am beginning with a half-hour news segment featuring interviews with politicians and prominent figures. Following this at around 9:00am, talkback callers engage in discussions about current affairs. The show has seen various hosts over time including Steve Austin (2011–2017), Madonna King (2006–2011), among others. In 2002, the ABC issued an apology after unfairly terminating former host Andrew Carroll following a contentious interview incident. A brief format change in 2017 replaced Mornings with Focus Brisbane, but by 2019 Mornings returned with Levingston as host.
Afternoons airs from 12:30pm to 3:30pm with presenter Katherine Feeney. The first hour is broadcast locally on ABC Radio Brisbane and ABC Gold Coast; between 1:30pm and 3:00pm it is transmitted statewide across ABC Local Radio Queensland; the final half-hour returns to local broadcasting.
Drive runs from 3:30pm to 6:30pm hosted by Ellen Fanning.
Evenings is broadcast Monday through Thursday from 7pm to 10pm and simulcast statewide on ABC Local Radio Queensland (reduced to a seven to nine pm slot during daylight saving). Fridays feature a national edition presented by Christine Anu. Former ABC News presenter David Curnow hosted evenings starting late in 2013 until replaced by Kelly Higgins-Devine in January 2018.
Saturday Breakfast airs from 6am until 7:45am with Spencer Howson, including an hour dedicated to gardening talkback calls.
Sunday Mornings broadcasts Sundays from 10am to noon with Sally Rope and is simulcast across regional networks within ABC Local Radio Queensland.
The station is overseen by Local Manager Anthony Frangi alongside Content Director Matthew Connors.
The Bradley
Initiated by ABC Radio Brisbane in 2022, The Bradley is a yearly art contest that encourages participants to produce artworks inspired by a designated theme each year.
| Year | Theme | Winner | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Brad Hunter | Andrew Weil | [1] |
| 2023 | Jenny Woodward | Carol Owens | [2] |
| 2024 | Costa Georgiadis | Cat Jardine | [3] |