Wilston, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wilston Brisbane, Queensland
Wilston, 2015
Wilston Location in Queensland
Population	4,110 (2021 census)
• Density	2,940/km2 (7,600/sq mi)
Established	1880s
Postcode(s)	4051
Area	1.4 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	5.1 km (3 mi) N of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Enoggera Ward)
State electorate(s)	Stafford Clayfield
Federal Division(s)	Brisbane
Suburbs around Wilston: Alderley Grange Lutwyche Newmarket Wilston Windsor Kelvin Grove Herston Bowen Hills

Wilston is a friendly suburb located north of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's a place where about 4,110 people live, according to the 2021 census. Wilston is known for its mix of old and new homes, and its lively community feel.

Exploring Wilston's Location and Lifestyle

Wilston is only about 5.1 kilometers (about 3 miles) by road north of the heart of Brisbane City. This makes it a very convenient place to live. You can see great views of the city from the higher streets in Wilston.

What's Wilston Like?

Wilston has a cool mix of houses. You'll see older, smaller homes that used to belong to workers, right next to modern, fancy houses designed by architects. Many people who work in healthcare live here because it's close to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

Fun Things to Do in Wilston

The main street, Kedron Brook Road, has become a really popular spot. It's full of cafes and restaurants where you can eat al-fresco, which means dining outdoors! This has made the area even more popular.

You can easily get around Wilston using public transport. There's the Wilston train station and regular bus routes. For fun and exercise, there are parks and walkways along Enoggera Creek. The area is also close to sports fields like Downey Park and Ballymore Stadium.

Wilston's Past: A Look at Its History

Long ago, the Turrbal clan, an Aboriginal group, lived in the area we now call Wilston.

How Wilston Got Its Name

Wilston House, a historic home in Wilston, 2015

The name Wilston comes from a house called Wilston House. This house was built around 1876 by a man named William Wilson. He settled in the area in 1868. He named his new home "Wilston" after his birthplace in Ireland. His family believes the name is a shorter version of "Wilson Town."

In 1884, a businessman named John Stevenson bought the land. He then divided it into smaller pieces for people to build houses on.

Important Buildings in Wilston's History

The Wilston Methodist Church had its first ceremony in 1913. It officially opened later that year.

Oakleigh House, a landmark home in Wilston, 2011

Another important building is Oakleigh House, located at 17 Murray Street. It has been a landmark for over 50 years. A police magistrate and postmaster named George Murray lived there starting in 1902. It's a beautiful old timber house that is still standing today.

29 Murray Street, once a reception centre, 2011

At 29 Murray Street, a house was built for the Zoeller family in 1905. This house later became a place for parties and events in 1948. It hosted over 25,000 weddings and other celebrations! In 1990, Oakleigh House also became a venue for events. Both houses were used for functions until 1995.

Between 1924 and 1931, more land was made available for new homes to be built in Wilston.

Who Lives in Wilston?

The population of Wilston has grown over the years.

• In 2011, there were 3,872 people living here.
• By 2016, the population increased to 3,937 people.
• In 2021, Wilston had 4,110 residents.

Most people in Wilston were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces include England, New Zealand, Italy, India, and South Africa. English is the main language spoken at home. Some other languages spoken include Italian, German, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Punjabi.

Special Places: Heritage Listings

Some buildings and places in Wilston are considered very important to its history and are protected. These are called heritage-listed sites. They include:

• Uanda (a house) at 27 Clifton Street
• Wilston Methodist Memorial Church at 181 Kedron Brook Road
• Wilston State School on Primrose Street (which is actually in the nearby suburb of Grange now)

Learning in Wilston: Schools

St Columba's Primary School is a Catholic school for students from Prep (the first year of primary school) to Year 6. It's located on Kedron Brook Road. In 2018, nearly 600 students attended the school.

While Wilston doesn't have its own government schools, there are schools very close by. The nearest government primary school is Wilston State School, which is in the next suburb, Grange. For high school, students can go to Kelvin Grove State College in Kelvin Grove or Kedron State High School in Kedron.

Sports and Recreation

Wilston is a great place for sports lovers! There are many sporting clubs in the area:

• Grange Thistle Football Club (soccer), which also includes the Grange Bowls Club.
• Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club.
• Wilston Grange Australian Football Club (AFL).
• Fortitude Valley Rugby League Football Club.
• St Andrews Ladies Hockey Club.

Other clubs include DAT Racing (for triathlons), Wilston Crocs (a swimming club), and Lococo Tennis. The Grange Club has been a place for lawn bowls for 70 years.

Shopping and Services

The main shopping area in Wilston is called Wilston Village, located on Kedron Brook Road. Here you'll find local stores. For bigger shopping trips, there are larger centers nearby like HomeZone at Windsor, Lutwyche Shopping Centre, and others a bit further away in Stafford and Brookside.

Getting Around: Transport

Wilston railway station makes it easy to travel by train. You can catch trains to places like Ferny Grove, Brisbane City, and Beenleigh.

Green Spaces: Parks in Wilston

Wilston has several lovely parks where you can relax and play:

• Eildon Hill Reserve
• Finsbury Park
• Hinkler Park
• Langley Avenue Park
• Ruby Robinson Reserve
• Wilston Place Park
• Wilston Recreation Reserve

Famous People From Wilston

Some notable people have lived in Wilston:

• James Tolson lived in Wilston House for a short time. He did important experiments on how to chill mutton (lamb meat) so it could be sent from Australia to Great Britain.
• Major General William Cahill, who was a police commissioner in Queensland, also lived at Wilston House. He made the grounds a safe place for birds and native animals.
• Peter Beattie, who used to be the Premier of Queensland (the leader of the state government), lived in Wilston.