Alpha was initially established as a temporary terminus during construction of the Central Western railway line. The railway, which was being built westwards from Rockhampton, was opened to Alpha on 22 September 1884. The construction camp continued moving west, but a township remained at the former terminus. Until June 1990, Queensland Rail maintained a locomotive depot in the town. Alpah Provisional School opened on 30 August 1886. It became Alpha State School on 7 September 1894. A preschool centre was added in 1987. Killarney Park Provisional School opened in late 1918 as a half time provisional school in conjunction with Glenleigh Provisional School. Both schools closed in late 1919 or early 1920 due to low student numbers. At the, Alpha had a population of 402. In the 2011 census, Alpha had a population of 571 people. On 22 November 2019 the Queensland Government decided to amalgamate the localities in the Barcaldine Region, resulting in five expanded localities based on the larger towns: Alpha, Aramac, Barcaldine, Jericho and Muttaburra. Alpha was expanded to incorporate Beaufort, Drummondslope, Dunrobin, Hobartville, Pine Hill, Port Wine, Sedgeford, and Surbiton.
Mining
On 29 May 2012 the first mine proposed to be developed in the Galilee Basin, known as the Alpha Coal Project, was approved by the Government of Queensland. Waratah Coal is planning on building a new mine close to the town called the China First Coal Project. This mine is to be built on the Bimblebox nature refuge which is home to the endangered black-throated finch. A counter-view is that Bimblebox is a privately-owned former grazing property, now unmanaged and run wild, growing and spreading various noxious weeds. The debate continues. Another two mines are planned. The mining expansion is expected to place a significant strain on local infrastructure. The primary concerns are a lack of available land and sewerage, water and power systems at close to capacity. Bimblebox, a feature-length documentary directed by Michael C O'Connell premiered at the 2012 Byron Bay International Film Festival. Bimblebox explores the "China First" mega mine project being developed by Waratah Coal close to the town of Alpha in the Galilee basin. The film also examines opposition to the China First mine from the owners of the Bimblebox nature refuge which stands in the path of the proposed project. In a 20 March 2012 press conference Waratah coal CEO Clive Palmer accused environmental groups and the films producers of being funded by the Central Intelligence Agency.
Alpha State School is a government primary and secondary school for boys and girls at Milton Street. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 40 students with 8 teachers and 10 non-teaching staff. The nearest secondary schools to Year 12 are in Barcaldine to the west and Emerald to the east. Alternatively there is distance education and boarding schools.
