Skip to main content

Mermaid Beach - 4218

'We were on the front page of every paper': How a mayor and a few girls in bikinis sold brand Gold Coast

Sir Bruce Small had a bold plan to revive tourism on the Gold Coast. All he needed was a bevy of beautiful women and a captive audience in cold southern states.
Updated
Man with two women in bikinis

Is it art if it's by AI? Brisbane Portrait Prize committee accused of jumping on 'slippery slope'

The Brisbane Portrait Prize will allow AI artworks for the first time in this year's competition in a move that has left some in the industry "uneasy".
Updated
An AI produced photo of a woman in a white dress with an older woman behind her

Rental crisis delivering a 'silver lining' for Queensland tenants who want to break their lease early

Renters asking to break their lease are required to compensate the landlord for financial losses, including paying rent until a new tenant is found, but critically low vacancy rates and high demand for housing mean that process is happening a lot faster than before the pandemic.
Ripped lease agreement with keys on table

Evie's mum sought mental health care help for her daughter, she's now fighting Child Safety for guardianship

Evie was 12 when she went into the care of the Department of Child Safety under the promise of better mental health care in regional Queensland. Now, her family is fighting to bring her home.
A woman stands in a door frame, non-identified.

As south-east Queenslanders return to work, travel times could be twice as long. Here's what you need to know

As south-east Queenslanders return to work, authorities have warned travel times could be twice as long due to major rail works.
Updated
Commuters aboard a packed delayed train bound for Brisbane's CBD from Deagon station

Queensland woman arrested over alleged wedding dress Ponzi scheme worth more than $100,000 and affecting 70 brides

Queensland police say a 53-year-old Beaudesert woman defrauded customers by on-selling previous clients' wedding dresses in either their original form or by altering them for re-sale.
arm of detective sifting through pile of wedding dresses on floor

Lightning fills the sky over the Gold Coast

Jemma Matthews took this video in Mermaid Waters, over looking Broadbeach, on New Year's Eve.
ABC News Current
Duration: 3 seconds

Tips to keep cool as new year heatwave settles in and BOM issues severe storm warnings for Qld, NSW

Much of northern Australia is battling through a heatwave with conditions set to peak over the weekend and remain into the New Year. As scorching temperatures hit storm-ravaged communities, residents get creative to keep cool.
Updated
people in pool

You could be impacted by a power outage. Here's how to stay safe and comfortable

Power outages are affecting thousands of residents across the country. With more stormy weather on the way, there's a chance you could find yourself in a prolonged blackout. Here are some tips on what to do.
Lightning explodes over power lines.

The loophole criminals are using to evade police — and there are no plans to close it

Automatic number plate recognition cameras are used by police to detect stolen cars and owners wanted for crimes. But their usefulness drops sharply once an offender crosses a state or territory border.
Australian Licene Plates

Families notified as child, man in 30s found dead after light plane crash in northern NSW

A child and a man have died in a plane crash north-west of Grafton, NSW.
Updated
The wing of light plane that crashed at Lilydale, near Grafton is visible behind an emergency vehicle.

Why a new $30k grant for some first-time home buyers might make it even harder for Catherine to save a deposit

The Queensland government has doubled its First Home Owner Grant to $30,000 but the incentive won't suit everyone. Here's what you you need to know.
A 30-year-old woman with long blonde and black hair and glasses stands outside a brick home that has been painted white..

Anywhere between '20 or 20,000' bull sharks in Sunshine Coast waterways, as scientists attempt count

Unlike on the Gold Coast, researchers say there is little knowledge of how many bull sharks are in the region's canals and waterways, which are often lined with multi-million dollar properties.
Updated
A group of men and women in shallow women, handling a shark in water.

Jury retires to consider verdict in rape trial of Queensland lifesaver

The jury in the trial of Conor Buhk, who is accused of raping a woman on the Gold Coast in 2020, has entered deliberations.
a man in a white button-up shirt and black tie walking out of a courthouse

Alleged rapist confronted by woman's father over Gold Coast surf club incident

A Queensland jury has been told the father of a woman allegedly raped by a fellow lifesaver confronted the man at his house in an attempt to incite a confession. 
Updated
a man in a white button-up shirt and black tie walking out of a courthouse

Gold Coast captain makes cricket history by taking six wickets in six balls in unbelievable last-over win

The cricket gods have smiled on a club bowler after he bagged six wickets in the final over of a one-day match to snatch a miracle victory for his team.
Updated
a cricketer bowling

Homes in almost every part of Queensland now worth more than ever before

While "some heat" could leave the market after the Reserve Bank lifted interest rates this week, for now, house prices have surpassed even the post-COVID records of early 2022.
A high-up view of a housing estate, with mountain in background

Sports stars back parole bid by alleged high-ranking Mongols bikie Robbie Corowa

Surfing legend Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew and boxing great Jeff Fenech are among the high-profile people who have provided character references for a man jailed for attempted murder.
Updated
A dark skinned buff man stands facing the camera with glasses on

What do we know about why arsonists light fires?

Police believe several recent bushfires that threatened homes and residents in Queensland were started on purpose. Motivations for arson can vary but will be key to investigations.
A fire vehicle backlit by an intense blaze

Queensland road authorities issue almost $1 million a day in speeding fines

Authorities give out more than $332 million in fines to speeding drivers in 2022-23 — up 35.7 per cent from the year before — amid heftier penalties.
Updated
Cars stalled in morning peak hour traffic in Annerley, Brisbane

Queensland Police First Nations Advisory Group calls for union boss Ian Leavers to resign

The Queensland Police Union boss has been urged to step down after widespread condemnation of his controversial comments about the state's Path to Treaty legislation, with the police's advisory group saying his views display "outwardly racist ideology". 
Updated
Older man in a dark grey suit with a light green tie.

The simple measure that could help protect your house from a fire – and save you a hefty fine

Residents are being urged not to block fire hydrants, after firefighters had difficulty accessing water during a blaze on the Gold Coast.
Man kneeling and pointing at Fire Hydrant Cover

Lifesaver from well-known Queensland family to face rape trial

A young lifesaver accused of raping a 21-year-old woman at a Gold Coast surf club house three years ago is expected to stand trial in a Queensland Court next month.
Updated
A man stands in a surf lifesaving uniform on an IRB

$1m reward offered in Gold Coast cold case murders 'linked' by red car

Detectives probing a 20-year-old cold case murder of a Gold Coast bottle shop manager say the same people are responsible for the fatal shooting of another man.
Updated
Man with a mo

In the parts of Queensland where the No vote was strongest, voters reflect on the referendum

Not a single Queensland electorate outside of the state's south-east voted to support the referendum, and the firmest of those against it all fall within Queensland. We ask voters why.
Updated
A composite image of three women and a man.