Walkamin has a tropical savannah climate, bordering on a dry-winter humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Aw/Cwa). The town has a hot and humid wet season from mid-November to mid-April and a warm, sunny dry season from mid-April to mid-November; though the climate is made cooler and drier by the town's elevation. Average maxima vary from 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in December to 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) in July, while average minima fluctuate between 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) in February and 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) in July. Mean average annual precipitation is moderate, 1,043.9 mm (41.10 in) spread between 83.8 precipitation days (above the 1.0 mm (0.039 in) threshold). Extreme temperatures have ranged from 39.8 °C (103.6 °F) on 6 January 1994 and 19 November 1990 to 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) on 4 July 1984.[6]
Climate data for Walkamin (17º07'48"S, 145º25'48"E, 594 m AMSL) (1965-2024 normals and extremes)
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]
Demographics
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]
Education
Walkamin State School is a government co-educational primary (P-6) school at 40 Wattle Street. In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 51 students with 3 teachers and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[13]
Economy
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]
Attractions
The Mount Uncle Distillery makes a range of liqueurs from local fruits.[14][15] 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.[16]
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.[17]
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