Wilston is located approximately 3.4 kilometres from the Brisbane central business district, and is a mixture of old and new styles of architecture, from workers' cottages to modern architect-designed homes on Wilston Hill. Wilston is home to many professionals, including many medical professionals, due to its inner city location, proximity to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and views of the city that are available from more elevated streets. In recent years, the area has been transformed by the revamping of Kedron Brook Road, an early precursor to the City Council’s urban renewal process that was to roll out across much of inner Brisbane. This has seen a vibrant hub of al-fresco dining evolve, which in turn has increased the popularity of the area and led to a significant increase in the cost of housing in recent years. Residents are also well serviced by public transport and leisure parks and walkways running alongside Enoggera Creek. The area is also close to local sporting grounds such as Downey Park and Ballymore Stadium.
History
Aboriginal history
The Turrbal clan occupied what is today known as Wilston.
Urban development
The area became known as Wilston after the home of the same name built there by the Honourable William Wilson MLC, who settled in the district in 1868. The home, which was constructed circa 1876, was named Wilston House after Wilson's birthplace home at Derrykeeghan Mills, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland. In 1884 the land passed to businessman John Stevenson MLA, who subdivided the property. Between 1924 and 1931 estates were created to provide more land for housing development.
Notable residents
, a short-term resident of Wilston House, conducted important experiments in chilling mutton for export from Australia to Great Britain. Major General William Cahill, a commissioner of police in Queensland, also lived at Wilston House for a period. During his residence he further developed the grounds, which became known as a sanctuary for birds and native fauna. Peter Beattie, the former Premier of Queensland, previously resided in this suburb.
Landmarks
Oakleigh House, at 17Murray Street, Wilston, has been a landmark for over fifty years. It was occupied, from 1902, by George Murray, a Brisbane police magistrate and postmaster. It is a colonial timber house which still stands proudly preserved today. In 1905, 29 Murray Street was built for the Zoeller family. The house became a reception centre in June 1948, and was the venue for over 25,000 wedding and other receptions until in 1990, 'Oakleigh' was also converted to a function venue, and both houses operated as such until 1995.
Wilston Village in Kedron Brook Road is the main retail area. Local stores in the area are supplemented by larger centres at HomeZone at Windsor, LutwycheShopping Centre and slightly further away at Stafford and Brookside.
In the, the population of Wilston was 3,872, 50.1% female and 49.9% male. The median age of the Wilston population was 35 years, 2 years below the Australian median. 76% of people living in Wilston were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 69.8%; the next most common countries of birth were England 4.5%, New Zealand 3.2%, Italy 1.3%, India 1.1%, South Africa 0.7%. 87.4% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.9% Italian, 0.6% German, 0.6% Cantonese, 0.6% Mandarin, 0.5% Punjabi.
