ABC Western Queensland

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Outback mayor calls for new hospital after brain-eating amoeba false alarm

South-west Queensland residents are questioning the detection of a dangerous amoeba at Queensland Health sites after all follow-up tests were negative.

Close up of two hands, palms facing upward, under a tap with running water in a sink.

Published: 23h agoFri 17 Oct 2025 at 8:14pmSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Bacteriaby Grace Nakamura

Broome drivers are paying $2.29 per litre. Down the road it's a different story

Industry experts say there is no excuse for wild variations in fuel prices across Australia, as calls grow for an independent investigation into the disparity.

A red petrol station sign shows prices for ULP at 229.9 cents per litre, sunset in the distance

Published: TueTue 14 Oct 2025 at 6:43pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Petrol Pricesby Erin Parke

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.

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

Published: 11 Oct 2025Sat 11 Oct 2025 at 11:46pmSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Rural and Remote Communitiesby Hannah Walsh

Why outback life is the best thing for these kids with cystic fibrosis

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

Published: 7 Oct 2025Tue 7 Oct 2025 at 11:00pmSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Rural and Remote Communitiesby Grace Nakamura

Floodwaters 'transform whole desert' as Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre reaches peak

The floodwaters that have created an expansive inland oasis on the usually arid salt beds of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre have reached a peak, and are beginning to evaporate, a local pilot says.

Published: 6 Oct 2025Mon 6 Oct 2025 at 10:58pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Waterby Isabella Carbone and Jordanna Schriever

Brisbane bushfire alert as more than 70 fires burn across state

Queensland firefighters tackling scores of incidents, including a bushfire about 20 kilometres north of Brisbane now downgraded after police made an emergency declaration.

Duration: 36 seconds

Published: 3 Oct 2025Fri 3 Oct 2025 at 9:51pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Firesby Hannah Walsh, Liam O'Connell and Chloe Chomicki

Outback temperatures to push 40C during Queensland school holidays

Clear, bright and sunny skies are expected as the Sunshine State's school holidays continue this week.

Published: 28 Sep 2025Sun 28 Sep 2025 at 7:39pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Weatherby Chloe Chomicki

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

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.

Duration: 4 minutes 29 seconds

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Beef Cattle Farmingby Hannah Walsh

Curtains close on Fred Brophy's boxing tent

He has long been the king of outback entertainment. But now, the curtains are closing on Fred Brophy's iconic boxing tent in Birdsville. Story by Hannah Walsh with additional production by Josie Sargent.

Fred Brophy standing arms out in front of a crowd with his signature red shirt.

Duration: 2 minutes 35 seconds

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Entertainmentby Hannah Walsh

Flowers bloom despite the odds

Outback Australia is known for its dry, dusty plains and searing heat. But for keen gardeners like Suzanne Stanton, it doesn't stop them creating colourful oases. Story by Grace Nakamura with additional reporting by Josie Sargent.

woman with white shirt standing in front of flower farm, outback in distance

Duration: 3 minutes 28 seconds

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Flower Gardensby Grace Nakamura

ABC Radio WESTERN QUEENSLAND

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7:30pm to12:00am

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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

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

Outback gardeners share the joys of turning dust to daisies

Flower farmer Suzanne Stanton says generations of outback women have taken comfort in their gardens, proof that life can survive in the harshest of climates.

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Gardeningby Grace Nakamura

Boxing tent down for the count as ringmaster prepares to hang up gloves

Fred Brophy will sell you a ticket, spin you a yarn and dare you into the ring, but at 73, the outback ringmaster is slowing down.

Source: ABC Western QldTopic: Human Interestby Hannah Walsh

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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

Voting now open for 2025 ABC Australian Insect of the Year

Will 2025 prove to be the year of the dragonfly? Or is "beetle-mania" set to make a return?

Six different insects cropped together into one image

Published: 3 Oct 2025Fri 3 Oct 2025 at 2:25amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Insects

Top 100 Books of the 21st Century

Book lovers, you’ve spoken — now it’s time to count them down. Tune in 18 + 19 October on ABC Radio National to see if your vote made it!

Published: 8 Oct 2025Wed 8 Oct 2025 at 4:29amSource: 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 race that stops the world

This week on Bludging on the Blindside, Roy and H.G discuss the new player in the Australian car industry, Hastie Car Corporation. Gus Gould takes a selfie in the toilet and Bunnings Island is a reality, Loloata Island in PNG.

Duration: 1 hour 32 minutes 3 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: NRL

Powerchair footballers bid for sport's inclusion in Brisbane Paralympics

Powerchair footballers spin 180 degrees and kick the ball up to 50 kph. They want the "heart-pumping" sport included in the 2032 Brisbane Paralympics after it missed out on Paris.

the poweroos play powerchair football on court

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sport

Sydney Paralympic Games legacy still impacts athletes 25 years on

The Sydney Paralympic was a watershed moment for the Paralympic movement. A quarter of a century later, Kurt Fearnley, Louise Sauvage and Lisa Llorens reflect on the Games that changed everything.

Savauge is in a racing wheelchair, wears Australian jersey, cycling helmet, raises her hands in victory as she leads a race.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Paralympic Games

Adelaide downs Sydney as Roar coach sees son sent off on A-League opening night

Adelaide United begins its season with a 2-1 win over Sydney, while Brisbane coach Michael Valkanis sees son Dimitri sent off in the Roar's 1-0 defeat of Macarthur.

A group of soccer players in red celebrate a goal by jumping on each other.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: A-League Men

Qld News

Sneak peek into summer amid climate driver 'tug of war'

Hot nights coupled with high daytime temperatures could see Australia heading into an extremely hot summer, BOM's first long-range forecast indicates.

A silhoutte of working dogs on a quad bike.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Weather Forecastsby Tyne Logan

Coroner finds snakebite death of 11yo boy preventable

The death of an 11-year-old Queensland boy from a snakebite may have been prevented had he received early medical attention, according to the findings of an inquest.

Snake bite victim Tristian Frahm holding a puppy

Source: ABC Southern QldTopic: Death and Dyingby Dan McCray

Electrician says she applied for 18 years before receiving apprenticeship

A woman who overcame a rare disease and another who spent two decades applying for apprenticeships have been recognised for excellence in their trades.

a woman in high vis stands arms folded in front of mining vehicle

Source: ABC North West QldTopic: Vocational Education and Trainingby Maddie Nixon and Abbey Halter

'I don't want to jinx it': WA growers start harvesting record crop

Farmers in Western Australia have begun harvesting a grain crop that could set a new record. It is a different story on the other side of the Nullabor though.

Source: LandlineTopic: Wheat Growingby Joanna Prendergast, Belinda Varischetti, Matt Brann and Tara de Landgrafft

National News

Sneak peek into summer amid climate driver 'tug of war'

Hot nights coupled with high daytime temperatures could see Australia heading into an extremely hot summer, BOM's first long-range forecast indicates.

Published: 10m agoSat 18 Oct 2025 at 7:39pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Weather Forecastsby Tyne Logan

analysis

'Play some more soon': The leaked email that finally forced Charles to act on his brother

With the swirl of news around Prince Andrew this week, something had to be done; the question was whether he would do it himself or if his brother would be forced to show him the door.

A close up of Prince Andrew looking over his shoulder and wearing a suit.

Published: 21m agoSat 18 Oct 2025 at 7:28pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Royaltyby Lucia Stein

The PM is set to sit down with Trump. What can he learn from other leaders?

As other world leaders have discovered, a visit to Donald Trump's White House can become an unpredictable, if not uncomfortable, encounter.

Anthony Albanese takes a selfie with a smiling Donald Trump

Published: 28m agoSat 18 Oct 2025 at 7:21pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: World Politicsby Jade Macmillan

analysis

'It didn't start in 1788': This colossal Indigenous history should be up in lights

We've flipped the script to put Indigenous Australians back at the centre of telling their own stories.

Shannon Bauwens kneels and touches a rock

Published: 51m agoSat 18 Oct 2025 at 6:58pmSource: Story LabTopic: Indigenous Cultureby Solua Middleton

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ABC Western Queensland

Outback mayor calls for new hospital after brain-eating amoeba false alarm

Broome drivers are paying $2.29 per litre. Down the road it's a different story

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

Why outback life is the best thing for these kids with cystic fibrosis

Floodwaters 'transform whole desert' as Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre reaches peak

Brisbane bushfire alert as more than 70 fires burn across state

Outback temperatures to push 40C during Queensland school holidays

ABC Western Queensland Local News

The outback’s unlikely influencer: Mango the muster cat

Curtains close on Fred Brophy's boxing tent

Flowers bloom despite the odds

ABC Radio WESTERN QUEENSLAND

Live. Australia All Over

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

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

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

Outback gardeners share the joys of turning dust to daisies

Boxing tent down for the count as ringmaster prepares to hang up gloves

Local news direct to your inbox

Voting now open for 2025 ABC Australian Insect of the Year

Top 100 Books of the 21st Century

Know your ABCs in an emergency

The race that stops the world

Powerchair footballers bid for sport's inclusion in Brisbane Paralympics

Sydney Paralympic Games legacy still impacts athletes 25 years on

Adelaide downs Sydney as Roar coach sees son sent off on A-League opening night

Sneak peek into summer amid climate driver 'tug of war'

Coroner finds snakebite death of 11yo boy preventable

Electrician says she applied for 18 years before receiving apprenticeship

'I don't want to jinx it': WA growers start harvesting record crop

Sneak peek into summer amid climate driver 'tug of war'

'Play some more soon': The leaked email that finally forced Charles to act on his brother

The PM is set to sit down with Trump. What can he learn from other leaders?

'It didn't start in 1788': This colossal Indigenous history should be up in lights

Other ways to listen

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