The original Macdonaldtown station opened in 1878 at a site adjacent to the Charles Street subway.

[3][4][5] The Main Suburban line through Macdonaldtown was quadruplicated in 1892,[6] and sextuplicated in 1927 in association with electrification works.

[9] On the morning of 13 July 1986 Macdonaldtown station was painted pink by then 18 year-old John Philip Baxter and his 14-year-old brother.

Baxter also glued a table, two chairs and a pot-plant (also painted pink) to the platform to further his "overall effort to enhance the station".

No conviction was recorded and the State Rail Authority's claim for damages was rejected by the magistrate.