It was originally a relay station covering the whole of North Queensland with limited local news bulletins.

Local program content increased in the 1960s and the station was also the home of regional ABC Television in Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa.

John Nutting launched the Saturday Night Country show in 1994 from 4QN which is now broadcast nationally.

The Townsville studios were also home to the first Aboriginal and Islander broadcasting in Australia.

Additionally, the station is the originating location of the Early Morning Country program between 5:00am – 6:00am weekdays hosted by Michael Clarke.