Walkerston is part of the traditional lands of the Yuwibara people.

Situated a few kilometres south-east of the Pleystowe Sugar Mill (1869) and a few kilometres west of the Alexandra Mill (1868), Walkerston was established as a small sugar town.

Walkerston grew rapidly in the 1970’s with the opening up of coal mining in the Bowen Basin, workers being able to live in Walkerston and commute to the mines along the Peak Downs Highway which intersects the town. A second wave of growth occurred between 2002 to 2013 due to the mining boom for similar reasons.

Outlook

A town projected to grow by 21.2% out to 2036. The current growth patterns indicate a focus on working families with children and a higher concentration of empty nesters/retirees. Future housing predominately stand-alone houses, which is line with current housing choice. Growth is anticipated to be driven by living on larger house lots in a rural setting in the Pioneer Valley with easy access to the Mackay city centre and the mines to the west.
Total Residents
Main Industries of Employment for Residents 2018
Mining
12.5%
Retail
9.3%
Manufacturing
8.3%
Population by Age play_arrow
Dwelling Types