[3][4] The area is named for Mount Atkinson, a low hill that was a source of local lava flows.

Atkinson estate includes proposed facilities for the suburb, such as: Mount Atkinson train station, Mount Atkinson Town Centre, Edmund Rice Education's primary and secondary schools, a state primary school, a homemaker centre, a large business centre and commercial precinct, as well as the revitalised Skeleton Creek wetlands.

[24][25] The suburb comprises a hill of the same name (which forms part of the Great Dividing Range in Australia), elevated at a peak of 140 meters above sea level and situated within the Mount Atkinson Nature Reserve.

[32] A brand new Mt Atkinson Community and Children Centre opened its door for new enrolments in Term 1, 2023.

[33] The Ballarat railway line passes through the northern edge of the suburb, which has a proposal to include a brand new Mount Atkinson station.

[34] Mount Atkinson station is proposed to be built near Greigs Road as an integrated transport hub next to Westfield Mt.

[37] The report found that terminating a new electrified metro service at Mount Atkinson would encourage more gradual westward housing growth, compared with complete electrification to Melton.