[1] Helidon is known in Queensland for its high quality sandstone (also called freestone), used extensively in private and public buildings in the state and elsewhere, including Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane Treasury Building, University of Queensland, and sought after internationally for its quality, especially in China.

Parts of the hilly, undeveloped north of Helidon have been protected within Lockyer National Park.

The Helidon district is called by Aboriginal inhabitants "Yabarba", the name of the Curriejung, and the nearby spring is known as "Woonar-rajimmi", the place "where the clouds fell down!"

The name Helidon derives from a pastoral run name established in 1841 by Richard Jones (1786–1852), a merchant and pastoralist.

[15] In 1877, 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) were resumed from the Helidon pastoral run and offered for selection on 24 April 1877.

[28] St Joseph's Catholic Church was rebuilt and was opened on Sunday 27 September 1914 by Archbishop James Duhig.

[34] These properties were thought to be the result of high lithium content, leading it to be sold and marketed as a powerful tonic for cleansing the bladder, kidneys and digestive system.

[35] In the 1820s, botanist and explorer Alan Cunningham became the first European to be introduced to Helidon's mineral waters.

[37] By 1881 he had entered a partnership with Scottish sportsman and entrepreneur Gilbert E. Primrose, who had purchased the agricultural land around the springs, establishing the Helidon Spa Water Company.

[38] To combat competition from imported soft drink products, the company would later merge with Owen Gardner & Sons in 1959 to become Kirks, now owned by Coca-Cola Amatil.

During the 1960s, a large caravan park and pool were constructed, briefly earning the area the name 'Toowoomba's Gold Coast'.