Walkerston, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Walkerston Queensland
Walkerston State Butcher's Shop, 2009
Walkerston Location in Queensland
Population	3,615 (2021 census)
• Density	260.1/km2 (674/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4751
Area	13.9 km2 (5.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	956 km (594 mi) NW of Brisbane 14 km (9 mi) W of Mackay
LGA(s)	Mackay Region
State electorate(s)	Mirani
Federal Division(s)	Capricornia
Localities around Walkerston: Balnagowan Dumbleton Dumbleton Pleystowe Walkerston Alexandra Greenmount Palmyra Palmyra

Walkerston is a town and locality located in the Mackay Region of Queensland, Australia. It's about 14 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of the larger city of Mackay. In 2021, the area of Walkerston was home to 3,615 people.

Where is Walkerston?

Walkerston is in Queensland, Australia. The Pioneer River forms its northern border. The main road, called the Peak Downs Highway, runs through the town. This highway connects Walkerston to places like Alexandra in the east and Greenmount in the southwest.

The town itself is located southwest of Mackay. A small area called Palms is also part of Walkerston. It is found to the east of the main town area.

A Look at Walkerston's History

How Walkerston Got Its Name

In May 1860, a 21-year-old man named John Mackay explored this area. He was looking for land for cattle farms. He followed a river, which his friends first called the Mackay River. Today, it is known as the Pioneer River.

The town was first known as Scrubby Creek around 1866. It was also sometimes called Baker's Creek. These names were often used instead of Walkerston. The name Scrubby Creek came from the thick bush that grew along Baker's Creek.

In 1881, the Queensland Surveyor-General officially combined two old towns, Walkerston and Alsatia. He decided to name the new combined town Walkerston. This name honored John Walker, who had leased a large farm nearby since 1866.

Schools and Community Life

The first school in the area, Walkerston Provisional School, opened in November 1874. However, it closed soon after because not many students attended. It reopened later but closed again in 1880. Students then moved to the Alsatia State School, which opened in April 1880. Around 1891, this school was renamed Walkerston State School.

St John's Catholic Primary School opened on January 29, 1924. It was started by the Sisters of Mercy to teach children in the town. Many students came from the local Maltese farming families. The school also had a boarding section for students from further away. This boarding option continued until 1976.

The Walkerston public library opened its doors in 1977.

People of Walkerston

The number of people living in Walkerston has grown over the years.

• In 2006, about 2,563 people lived here.
• By 2011, the population grew to 3,089 people.
• In 2016, there were 3,403 residents.
• The latest count in 2021 showed 3,615 people living in Walkerston.

Important Places in Walkerston

Walkerston has some special places that are protected because of their history. These are called heritage-listed sites.

• The Walkerston State Butcher's Shop at 13 Dutton Street.
• The Greenmount Homestead on Greenmount Road.

Education in Walkerston

Walkerston has two primary schools for children:

• Walkerston State School is a government primary school for students from Prep (the first year of school) to Year 6. It is located on Dutton Street. In 2017, the school had 349 students.
• St John's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary school, also for students from Prep to Year 6. You can find it on Creek Street. In 2017, this school had 236 students.

What's in Walkerston?

The town has a few useful places for its residents.

• The Mackay Regional Council runs a library on Dutton Street.
• There is a supermarket where people can buy groceries.
• The town also has three bars, including a sports club.