Walkamin, Queensland

Walkamin is on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland between Mareeba and Tolga. The Kennedy Highway traverses the locality from the south-east to the north-east passing through the town.^[5]

The name Walkamin was taken from its railway station, which in turn was named by the Queensland Railways Department on 8 November 1943, based on a suggestion by organist Sydney Lionel May who proposed it because it was the name of an Aboriginal language associated with the area, probably the Wakaman language documented by Norman Tindale.^[3][7]

Walkamin State School opened on 19 May 1958.^[8] In 1982 the school celebrated its 25th anniversary.^[9]

The Walkamin Research Station was established by the Queensland Government in late 1959 to investigate the economic use of irrigation water from the Tinaroo Dam.^[10]

In the 2006 census, the locality of Walkamin and the surrounding area had a population of 630 people.^[11]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Walkamin had a population of 474 people.^[12]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Walkamin had a population of 532 people.^[1]

Walkamin State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 40 Wattle Street (17.1282°S 145.4269°E / -17.1282; 145.4269 (Walkamin State School)).^[13][14] In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 51 students with 3 teachers and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).^[15] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 45 students with 3 teachers and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).^[16]

There are no secondary schools in Walkamin. The nearest government secondary schools are Atherton State High School in Atherton to the south-east and Mareeba State High School in neighbouring Mareeba to the north. There are also non-government schools in Atherton and Mareeba.^[17]

In 2017, Walkamin Research Station was involved in research involving local crops such as mangoes, peanuts, coffee, hardwoods, legumes, maize and lucerne. Although the research station is equipped for aquaculture research, there were no aquaculture projects in 2017. The research station has an experimental farm in Kairi beside the shores of Lake Tinarooo.^[10]

The Mount Uncle Distillery makes a range of liqueurs from local fruits.^[18][19] In 2015, the distillery were successful at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in Hong Kong, winning a gold medal for their Iridium rum, silver medals for their gin, vodka and whiskey, and a bronze medal for another rum. The distillery owner, Mark Watkins, believes the climate in Walkamin contributes to faster maturation of the liqueurs.^[20]

The FNQ Country Music Festival and Talent Search is held annually at Kerribee Park Rodeo Grounds in Mareeba. The event is hosted by the Walkamin Country Music Club.^[21]