Before the town was called Edendale, it was known by the names Maorirua, Mataura Plains and Stuart's Bush.

[3] Edendale was originally an estate of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, who surveyed the township and sold it in lots.

[4][5] The homestead of the Edendale estate was bought in 1902 by its former manager, Mr Donald Macdonald.

[6] Macdonald was instrumental in advocating the use of lime on the soils of Southland which vastly improved their quality.

[7] Built circa 1882, the homestead is approach by a mile long drive through a beautiful and mature avenue of native trees, such as totara, black and white kahikatea and matai.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.2% had no religion, and 43.7% were Christian.

A 2.6 km (1.6 mi) bypass west of the dairy factory opened in December 2019, moving State Highway 1 out of the town itself.

Traffic was light from the beginning, with the extension to Glenham closed on 14 July 1930 and passenger services to Edendale – originally provided by mixed trains and then by RM class Model T Ford railcars – were cancelled on 9 February 1931.

By the late 1950s, the line to Wyndham was essentially just an extension of the Edendale railway yard and insufficient quantities of freight meant that the line was closed just weeks before its eightieth anniversary and Edendale ceased to be a railway junction on 9 September 1962.

[15] The nearest intermediate and secondary school is Menzies College, 5 km (3 mi) east of the town in Wyndham.