GATTON

Gatton is the largest town in the Lockyer Valley and is therefore the commercial centre of the region.  It is around 40km from Toowoomba, 55km from Ipswich and 90km from Brisbane.  Since the Lockery Valley is one of the top ten most fertile farming areas in the world, Gatton is therefore surrounded by irrigated farmland.  Major agricultural activities include small-crop farming, dairy, cattle, pigs and sawmilling.  Potatoes, onions and lucerne are rated highest amongst the small-crop category.  The stream systems that feeds the Lockery Valley enters the Brisbane River near Lowood.  Many local farmers depend on Gatton to provide their irrigation equipment, machinery, parts and other supplies.  Therefore Gatton is also very reliant on the surrounding farming community.

Gatton began as a centre for several large stations that were started in the 1840s while also being a changing point for horses on the Royal Mail coaches.  Despite only being surveyed in 1859, it is likely that a village existed as far back as 1846.  The 1850s brought Germans who were among the first of the valley's family farmers.  By the 1880s they had managed to clear the scrubland to make way for the vast amount of agriculture which made the Gatton region so important throughout the nineteenth century as a food supplier to the developing colony at Brisbane and other areas.

1866 brought the railway line from Ipswich to Gatton.  The arrival of the railway line was in time for the settlement of many immigrant farmers including Irish and German settlers.  1868 marked the opening of a Catholic school which was put in place alongside other common civic facilities such as the post office, police station, hotels and a court house.  It wasn't until 1876 that a government primary school was opened.  The first postmaster at the post office was a dairyman named Frederick Lloyd.

Gatton is well known for its stunning backdrop of scenic hills and the mountains of The Great Dividing Range.  While being quite a fast growing town, Gatton has still managed to maintain much of its natural charm, beauty and heritage.  If you wish to take a glimpse into local history then be sure to visit the Gatton Historical Village which is located on the southern border of Lake Apex Park.  The museum is open every Sunday between 1:30pm and 4pm.

The University of Queensland Gatton College is located near Gatton and started as a training college for young farmers.  It is located on the Warrego Highway, only 5km from Gatton and is seen to be the best agricultural college in Australia.

The Lockery Valley Cultural Centre was opoened in November of 2009.  It is a purpose built facility which is home to a library, function and conference rooms, art gallery, visitor information centre and the Queensland Transport Museum.  All this is located on beautiful Lake Apex.  Nearby is the "Lights on the Hill" trucking memorial.

Gatton's rural tranquility has started to be invaded over the years by the suburban sprawl spread of Ipswich and Brisbane in the east and Toowoomba in the west.  There has also been much development along the Warrego Highway which runs past Gatton.  Today Gatton has three major supermarkets including Gatton Plaza which was opened in 1980.  In 2004 there were additions made to both Gatton Plaza and the central shopping area.  Gatton also boasts:

- Showgrounds
- Hospital
- Golf Club
- Swimming Pool
- Bowls Club
- A variety of churches
- State primary schools
- State high school
- Catholic primary school
- Lutheran primary school
- Heritage museum
- Civic centre
- Fast food outlets (including KFC & McDonalds)
- Indoor sports centre with basketball and tennis courts

The floods of 2011 left low-lying houses in Gatton flooded.  However nearby localities such as Grantham were much worse affected.  Gatton residents were evacuated to the Gatton shire hall where they joined others from places such as Grantham and Helidon.