Telegraph and Communications, Published 14 May 2026
The National Broadcasting Service (NBS) Transmission Centre at Bald Hills has played a major role in Queensland’s airwaves since 1942 - and it’s still broadcasting ABC radio today.
Built during World War II, the Bald Hills transmission centre became operational in early 1942 after fears of Japanese bombing prompted the government to move key radio infrastructure away from Brisbane’s CBD.
The first mast - a 76-metre structure - was erected in late 1941, marking the beginning of a more secure era in Australian broadcasting. The site initially housed a powerful 10 kW water-cooled shortwave transmitter, while Brisbane’s 4QR service was relocated there soon after as wartime broadcasting operations expanded.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, when radio was at the heart of home entertainment, Bald Hills helped keep Queenslanders informed and connected - especially in remote regions. Its towering aerials became a familiar landmark across Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
After the war, the site expanded significantly, including construction of the famous 204-metre mast erected in 1947 - still one of Brisbane’s most recognisable broadcast towers.
By the late 1980s, operations were increasingly controlled remotely from the ABC’s Mt Coot-tha facilities, signalling the station’s move into the modern broadcasting era.
Today, the site now operated by BAI Communications - continues to transmit important ABC AM radio services, remaining a vital part of Australia’s broadcast network.
Fun fact: The site still preserves elements of early broadcast technology, including enormous glass radio valves from the pre-transistor era - a reminder of when radio ran on glowing tubes and sheer engineering ingenuity.
Whether you’ve driven past the towers near Bald Hills or tuned in without realising it, this quiet giant has been part of Queensland’s story for generations.
#thedavemalouchannel #BaldHillsTransmitter #QueenslandHistory #ABCRadio ##broadcastingsince1949
B&W Images: Erection of the Bald Hills radio transmitter, 1941. - Public Domain - QLD State Archives
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