If you’ve ever punched 612 into your radio only to get crackle, you’re not alone – ABC Radio Brisbane has been a local institution since 1938, but the ways to tune in have multiplied. This guide walks you through every method, from the ABC listen app and digital radio to good old AM, and covers the hosts and programs you’ll hear along the way.
Call sign: 4QR · Frequency: 612 AM · Network: ABC Local Radio · Location: Brisbane, Queensland · Launch year: 1938 · Live stream: ABC listen app, website, DAB+, TV channel 25
Quick snapshot
- Broadcasts on 612 AM (Wikipedia – ABC Radio network list)
- Call sign 4QR (Wikipedia – call sign)
- Available on ABC listen app (Apple App Store – ABC listen)
- Exact date of Craig Zonca’s departure in 2023
- Current on-air status of Steph and Dom Parker
- 1938 – Station launched as 4QR (Wikipedia – ABC Radio history)
- 2023 – Craig Zonca leaves ABC Radio Brisbane (Wikipedia – presenter changes)
- Continued expansion of DAB+ coverage in Brisbane metro
- Possible FM transition discussions among listeners
Six key specs define the station at a glance:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Call sign | 4QR |
| Frequency (AM) | 612 kHz |
| Launch year | 1938 |
| Network | ABC Local Radio |
| Broadcast area | Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Tweed Heads (Australia Fandom – coverage area) |
| Digital (DAB+) | Available in select Brisbane areas (Australia Fandom – DAB+) |
| Live stream | ABC listen app, abc.net.au/listen/live/brisbane |
| TV channel | Channel 25 (free-to-air) |
The implication: these specs show that ABC Radio Brisbane is accessible through more than just AM, giving listeners flexibility depending on their location and device.
How to listen to ABC Brisbane radio?
Listen via the ABC listen app
- Download the free ABC listen app from the Apple App Store – ABC listen or Google Play Store – ABC listen.
- Open the app, select “Stations,” and choose ABC Radio Brisbane.
- The app streams the live broadcast and provides on-demand programs.
Listen online at abc.net.au/brisbane
- Visit ABC – local page.
- Click the “Listen Live” button on the top-right.
- No sign-up required – works on desktop and mobile browsers.
Listen on digital radio DAB+
- If you’re in Brisbane with a DAB+ receiver, tune to the ABC Radio Brisbane digital channel.
- Check reception using the ABC Reception Tool – official coverage checker.
Listen on TV channel 25
- Free-to-air digital TV channel 25 carries ABC Radio Brisbane audio.
- Available across the Brisbane region via standard TV antenna.
Listen on 612 AM
- The analog frequency 612 AM covers the widest area, including fringe parts of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
- The ABC Help Centre – frequency guide lets you search by postcode.
AM gives you range, but in built-up areas DAB+ or the app deliver cleaner sound. For listeners outside the metro, the app is the most reliable option – provided you have internet.
The implication: there’s no single “best” method – the right choice depends on where you are and what device you have. The ABC listen app works everywhere, while AM remains the fallback for areas with spotty mobile data.
What station is ABC Radio QLD?
ABC Radio Brisbane is the local station for Brisbane
- Its call sign is 4QR and it broadcasts on 612 AM (Wikipedia – ABC Radio network list).
- It is part of the ABC Local Radio network, which operates stations in every state and territory.
ABC Radio Queensland is the state-wide network
- ABC Radio Queensland is a separate service that covers the entire state via regional transmitters.
- In Brisbane, ABC Radio Brisbane is the primary local station; switch to ABC Radio Queensland for state-wide news when travelling.
The pattern: ABC splits its local and state networks so listeners get hyper-local content in metro areas and broader coverage when outside. ABC Radio Brisbane’s 4QR signal is your anchor in the southeast corner.
How to listen to ABC radio overseas?
Use the ABC listen app anywhere in the world
- The ABC listen app works internationally – it streams ABC Radio Brisbane live and gives access to podcasts.
- No VPN required for most content, but some programs may be geo-restricted due to rights.
Stream via the ABC website
- Go to ABC – live stream page from any browser.
- Works on mobile data and Wi-Fi; check data caps if streaming for long periods.
Check local availability of ABC podcasts
- ABC Radio Brisbane programs are often published as podcasts within 24 hours.
- Search “ABC Radio Brisbane” in your podcast app; most episodes are available globally.
Live sport commentary – especially cricket – is sometimes blocked overseas due to broadcast rights. The ABC Help Centre – frequency guide advises checking the station’s schedule for restrictions.
Why this matters: if you’re an expat or travelling, the app is your lifeline to home. For cricket fans, the workaround is to use the ABC listen app’s podcasts after the match.
What happened to Craig Zonca?
Craig Zonca left ABC Radio Brisbane in 2023
- Zonca was a presenter on ABC Radio Brisbane for several years, co-hosting the breakfast show.
- He departed the station in 2023 to take a new role elsewhere in the ABC (Wikipedia – presenter changes).
He moved to a new role at the ABC
- Zonca’s move was part of an internal reshuffle; he continues to work within the national broadcaster.
- No official statement has been made about his replacement, though Loretta Ryan now co-hosts the breakfast shift.
The trade-off: Zonca’s departure left a gap in the breakfast lineup, but it also opened the door for new voices like Ryan to refresh the morning sound.
What is Loretta Ryan known for?
Loretta Ryan is a journalist and presenter
- Ryan is a veteran journalist who has covered Queensland news for the ABC. She now co-presents on ABC Radio Brisbane’s breakfast program (Wikipedia – presenter list).
She hosts on ABC Radio Brisbane
- Ryan’s role is primarily on the breakfast show, handling news interviews and light segments.
- She is known for her calm, authoritative style and in-depth knowledge of Brisbane issues.
The implication: Ryan brings journalistic depth to morning radio – a contrast to the more personality-driven style of the previous co-hosts, which appeals to listeners who want substance with their sunrise.
How to start listening to ABC Radio Brisbane today
- Pick your device. Smartphone, computer, digital radio, or TV.
- Choose a method: ABC listen app (iOS/Android), live stream online, DAB+, TV channel 25, or 612 AM.
- Find the stream. Open the app and tap “ABC Radio Brisbane,” or go to ABC – live stream page.
- Save it as a preset. On AM or DAB+, save 612 or your DAB+ channel so you can switch quickly.
- Explore programs. Check the schedule on the ABC listen app for Breakfast, Mornings, Afternoons, Drive, and Evening shows.
Confirmed facts
- ABC Radio Brisbane broadcasts on 612 AM (Wikipedia – ABC Radio network)
- Craig Zonca left in 2023 (Wikipedia – presenter changes)
- Loretta Ryan is a current presenter (Wikipedia – presenter list)
- ABC listen app is free on iOS and Android (Apple App Store – ABC listen)
- ABC’s reception tool covers postcode-based frequency search (ABC Reception Tool – official coverage checker)
What’s unclear
- Exact date of Craig Zonca’s departure in 2023
- Current on-air schedule of Steph and Dom Parker
- Whether FM transition will happen for ABC Radio Brisbane
“ABC listeners can find local radio frequencies by entering a postcode in ABC’s reception tool.”
“ABC Radio Brisbane is part of ABC Local Radio, with call sign 4QR broadcasting on 612 AM in Brisbane.”
Wikipedia – ABC Radio network
For anyone living in the greater Brisbane area, the choice of listening method is straightforward: use the ABC listen app for portability, 612 AM for reliability, and check the ABC Reception Tool – official coverage checker if you’re in a fringe zone. If you’re overseas, the app remains the only consistent way to stay connected, though live sport may be restricted. For listeners in Brisbane, the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre: Map, Stores, Hours, Address guide covers another local essential, and if your streaming buffers, check your connection with the Telstra Speed Test: How to Check Broadband & Mobile Speeds page.
For those in Victoria, the ABC Radio Melbourne guide offers similar details on frequency, schedule, and how to tune in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the frequency of ABC Radio Brisbane?
ABC Radio Brisbane broadcasts on 612 AM in the Brisbane region. It is also available on DAB+ digital radio, TV channel 25, and via live stream on the ABC listen app.
Can I listen to ABC Radio Brisbane on my phone?
Yes. Download the free ABC listen app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, select ABC Radio Brisbane, and stream live or catch up on programs.
Is ABC Radio Brisbane available on FM?
No, ABC Radio Brisbane is not on FM in Brisbane. It uses AM (612), DAB+, TV channel 25, and online streaming. Some other ABC stations in the area (like ABC Classic) are on FM.
What time does ABC Radio Brisbane breakfast show start?
The breakfast show typically airs from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM weekdays, followed by Mornings at 8:30 AM. Check the ABC listen app schedule for the most up-to-date times.
How do I contact ABC Radio Brisbane?
You can call the station during programs, email using the contact form on abc.net.au/brisbane, or send a message via the ABC listen app. The street address is 114 Grey Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101.
Does ABC Radio Brisbane have a podcast?
Yes. Most programs are available as podcasts on the ABC listen app and other podcast platforms. Search “ABC Radio Brisbane” to find episodes of Breakfast, Mornings, and Drive.
What is the ABC Radio Brisbane address?
ABC Radio Brisbane’s studio is at 114 Grey Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia. This is the ABC’s Brisbane headquarters.
Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Oz Reviewly.