[1] In 1955, New Zealand geologist Harry Evans discovered bauxite (the raw material used to make aluminium) on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula while he was exploring for oil.

[3] In November 1957, the Queensland Government approved a £50 million project of the British Australian Consolidated Zinc group to develop a bauxite mine on the Cape York Peninsula to be operated by its newly created subsidiary, Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation Pty.

As part of the agreement, the government passed legislation to enable a town, harbour and treatment works to be established at the company's expense at Kumrunja (Rocky Point) on the south side of the Mission River.

[6] In 1993, Comalco held elections to form a Citizens Advisory Committee to assist in the administration of the town.

The residential area of Weipa comprises three localities; from north to south, they are Rocky Point, Trunding, and Nanum.

Weipa Town is a gazetted local government area and the Weipa Town Authority undertakes the duties of a typical local government, such as:[12] Services provided by the authority include road maintenance, water supply, garbage collection, parks, sports ovals, and public swimming pools.

This has implications in relation to loan and budget requirements, Goods and Services Tax on rates, the development of land, and changes to the town boundaries.

[5] In 2016, discussions took place in regard to "normalising" Weipa Town into a true local government authority .