Download coordinates as: Oakey is a rural town and locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia.

[1] The town is situated on the eastern side of the Darling Downs and the Toowoomba Region local government area.

[citation needed] Oakey is one of the towns contained in the Queensland State Electoral district of Condamine and at the federal level it lies within the Division of Groom.

[citation needed] The town is bypassed by the Warrego Highway (National A2), and is also on the main rail link connecting Brisbane and Toowoomba with south-western Queensland.

[citation needed] In 1859, the Jondaryan Woolshed was built to the west of the town to service the rapidly growing wool industry.

[citation needed] The building of the Western railway line through the area in 1867 prompted the growth of a township to service the pastoral community.

The school-house is a neat weatherboard building, shingled, and with a verandah on each side, and capable of accommodating between sixty and seventy children, and will amply supply the requirements of the district for years to come.

[citation needed] St Monica's Catholic School was officially opened on Sunday 26 October 1919 by Archbishop James Duhig.

[20][13][21][22][23] The Oakey War Memorial in Campbell Street was unveiled on 28 August 1922 by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Matthew Nathan.

[24] It was made "of Rockhampton marble on a pedestal of sandstone, with a polished granite centre piece, on which are inscribed in gold letters the names of no fewer than 332 soldiers of the Oakey district who took part in the Great War.

"[8] The Country Women's Association opened a branch in Oakey in 1924, which was noted to be 'thriving' in 1925,[8] and celebrated 90 years of activity in 2014.

[26] During World War II, the requirement for aircraft maintenance and construction exceeded the capabilities of Brisbane-based facilities.

To expand the capability, a 934-acre (378 ha) site at Oakey was purchased to facilitate the raising of Number 6 Aircraft Depot (6AD).

The Depot serviced, assembled and conducted test flights of Bristol Beaufort, P-51 Mustang, Norsemen, CAC Wirraway and Supermarine Spitfire aircraft.

The establishment of the Wellcamp Airport south of the town, servicing Toowoomba, saw Skytrans being replaced by Qantaslink and REX airlines, and the reduction of airspace for the Army Aviation Centre.

[13][29][30] Since 1916, there was community interest in the establishment of a high school in Oakey, with the disadvantage of "scholars having to reside in Dalby, Warwick, or Toowoomba, after passing the examination" acting as a deterrent to many parents from pursuing higher education for their children.

[citation needed] In 2014, the Department of Defense investigated a contamination caused by fire-fighting foams used at the Army Aviation Training Centre and warned residents not to drink bore water.

In December 2021, a 3-year study conducted by the Australian National University announced they did not find conclusive evidence of an increased risk of cancer or other disease because of the contamination.

The district has a high concentration of cattle feedlots, an abattoir, a stockfeed manufacturer, grain trading and transport businesses.

[citation needed] The township also provides services for agricultural and mining activities in the local area.

[citation needed] There are several motels and hotels in town providing accommodation, as well as a caravan park catering for tourists.

[citation needed] Oakey's climate varies through the year, ranging from hot, humid and stormy summers to cool, dry and sunny winters.

One of the most well-known Oakey residents was Drew Kirk, and the town served as an important location for him and his family.

The Kirk family was revisited in 2018 when Drew’s son Ben visited the town to try and connect with the father he never knew.