Sadly Australia’s international broadcast service ‘Radio Australia’ left the shortwave bands in 2017. It was launched on the 20th day of December 1939 and had broadcast for nearly 80 years. The decision to scrap Radio Australia’s shortwave broadcasts attracted criticism from various circles including cattle station owners, indigenous ranger groups, and fishermen. It was argued that the decision was made without any community consultation and would deprive people in remote areas of vital emergency warnings.
Although Radio Australia is gone, there are a number of Australian shortwave broadcasters who can be heard on the shortwave bands. Here are the ones that I am aware of.
Bay Islands – 5045 kHz.
This station broadcasts from MacLeay Island in Queensland.
4KZ – 5055 kHz
Radio 4KZ is a shortwave relay of an Innisfail, Queensland, medium-wave station with the same call sign, and is part of the NQ Radio network. Located in Innisfail since 1967, Radio 4KZ covers the lush tropical coast of Far North Queensland from Townsville in the south to Cairns city in the north. It plays a variety of music.
Shortwave Australia – 4835 kHz & 2310 kHz.
Shortwave Australia is a not-for-profit short-wave station broadcasting on 4835 kHz and 2310 kHz. More information can be found on their Facebook page at…..
Unique Radio Australia is a non-commercial shortwave radio station that broadcasts on 5035 kHz and 3210 kHz. More information can be found on their website at…..
Radio 567 is part of the X Radio Network (XRN) and broadcasts from Wee Waa, New South Wales. According to the XRN Facebook site the power is 100 watts and the antenna is an inverted L.
If you know of any other Australian broadcasters on the shortwave bands, I would love to hear from you.