The station started life in 1952 as 4SO, operating as a relay from Toowoomba[3] of the ABC Regional Network, transmitting on a frequency of 1590 kHz (changed in 1978 to 1593 kHz to fit in with the revised 9 kHz spacing).
Its persona changed dramatically in 1983 when it was branded as 1593AM 4SO Gold Coast Rock[4] to target the youth market, then became 91.7 ABC Coast FM when it began broadcasting on the FM band in 1989. The station is now a news, current affairs and adult contemporary music station. In 2013 the station changed its name to 91.7 ABC Gold Coast in alignment with the nomenclature used for other ABC Local Radio stations across Australia. In 2019, the frequency was dropped from the stations name, in alignment with other ABC Local Radio stations across Australia.