Early settler James Foote named the locality after his wife's birthplace Swanbank in Lanarkshire, Scotland.[6] Previous names for this area were Logan Lagoon and Josey's Lagoon.[7]
On 31 July 1972, the Box Flat Mine experienced an explosion which took the lives of 18 men and led to the closure of the mine.[8]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, Swanbank had "no people or a very low population".[9]
In the 2021 census, Swanbank had "no people or a very low population".[1]
Heritage
Swanbank railway station is used by a heritage and railway preservation society. The heritage train trips are operated by Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway who have steam train rides around Swanbank rail loop which was used to service the coal needs of Swanbank power station.[10]