Fire pits are popping up in backyards across the country, but as one Brisbane mother found out maybe you're not allowed to actually light them.

Mount Isa's Nev Power said fixing windmills and tractors prepared him to chair the COVID-19 Coordination Commission.

A cold front sweeps across southern Queensland, bringing record low temperatures to the outback in an icy blast that will remain until next week.

For the second day in a row, Queensland records no new COVID-19 cases, keeping the state's total at 1,033 ahead of restrictions easing tomorrow.

If you're watching your pet at home and wondering if they're acting a little bit strange, no, you're not going crazy — but they might be.

The situation in Woodford Correctional Centre, north of Brisbane, becomes "quite volatile" since coronavirus measures prevent prisoners from seeing family and friends, cutting off the illegal drug supply.

Are the 'racehorses of the sky' being sent off-track by urban development? Gravity? Hungry falcons? It's the question long ruffling the feathers of pigeon racers.

SA Police reveal details about the suspected murder of Michael Purse, who they say may have been lured to a property in Kilburn and murdered.

Welfare recipients in three states will remain on the controversial cashless debit card for another six months after the Federal Government extended the trial.

Several major Queensland tourism operators say talk of a 'trans-Tasman bubble' has given a rare glimmer of hope that they will be able to bounce back following the devastating impacts of coronavirus.

Despite a staged re-opening of classes from Monday, May 11, no clear guidance has been given for boarding students, with many independent schools opening limited classes and boarding accommodation for selected year levels.

Bob Corbett, Michael Carpenter, Dave Carter

What was hot on Saturday at the Blues

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

It is almost impossible to sit still when listening to The Jungle Giants.

Tara June Winch has won three major prizes at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for her novel of love, family, history and language, The Yield.

Farmers are finally starting to pick up the pieces from a devastating drought, but now those on the land say they have an even bigger issue as the wild dog problem strengthens.

Coronavirus survivor, Jayson O'Brien has thanked medical staff at Western New South Wales Local Health District for saving his life.

A Supreme Court Justice says allegations made by Robert Xie's legal team that a "dishonest" witness "covered up material" are among the most serious he's heard, as the former surgeon prepares to appeal his five murder convictions.

Cressida Cains' industry innovation has been recognised at the 2020 New South Wales' Rural Women's Award.

Mr Millard says all residents have been provided mobile phones but it's not always possible to assist with calls.

Jeered in more conservative times for ordering a swimmer "wearing nothing but a smile" to cover up, lifesaving legend Warren Young now looks to call it a day.

After a frustrating wait, the bushfire clean-up effort is set to ramp up in South East NSW with around 300 properties to be cleared each week.

Gold Coasters are warned that eased restrictions on travel in Queensland may not apply in NSW, with stiff fines for non-essential travel south of the border a possibility.

Health authorities in NSW carried out more than 8,800 tests yesterday, and they're delighted that only five came back positive.

The New Zealand Warriors will fly into Tamworth tomorrow, in an exemption from current travel rules.

Another resident dies from coronavirus at Newmarch House in Western Sydney, bringing the aged care facility's death toll to 16.

Businesses in the Mudgee and surrounding region say they'll bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, using resilience built during years spent in drought and recent and devastating bushfires.

People with Tourette syndrome appeal for compassion as pandemic panic exacerbates their neurological condition, causing their anxieties and tics to worsen.

Over $340,000 raised by celebrity bushfire relief concert Fire Aid 2020 is being pre-loaded onto EFTPOS cards linked to local businesses, tackling two disasters with one innovative idea.

The hit action franchise suffers a serious blow with this silly, lightweight and forgettable installment. Yippee-Ki-Yay indeed!

Kate Miller-Heidke at Star Court Theatre, and Martha Wainwright at Byron Community Centre

One of the most influential lyricists of the past 50 years delivered a marathon performance of his classics in a voice that gets richer by the year.

Mark Grentell's celebration of an Aussie tradition is low on budget and rough around the edges, but is ultimately an affectionate tale with plenty of laughs.

Funny and disturbing, this play is a must see.

Three young sisters work together to fulfil their dream of owning and operating their own Hereford stud and, despite drought and study, they are making a success of it.

A man is charged with two counts of murder after a woman and a young boy are found dead in a Tamworth house fire that police believe was deliberately lit. Two other people are in hospital with burns.

A continuing investigation into an infectious health worker at the Mersey Hospital in Tasmania's north-west reveals the person was only at work for 30 minutes before they felt unwell and went home.

As Tasmanian health authorities say they are yet to learn how two people in the state's north-west contracted coronavirus, four new cases are confirmed.