Wondecla was originally called Nigger Creek. It takes its current name from the former
Wondecla railway station () on the
Tablelands railway line. The station's name was assigned by the
Queensland Railways Department on 31 July 1911. Wondecla is believed to be an
Aboriginal word meaning the junction of creeks, which probably refers to the confluence of the Wild River and the Wondecla Creek given that the station was near the confluence. On 1 January 1909, it became Nigger Creek State School. In 1922, it was renamed Wondecla State School. It closed on 20 July 1958. In
World War II as part of the
Atherton Project, tent encampments were established by the
Australian Army (
6th and
7th Divisions) near Wondecla,
Wongabel, and
Ravenshoe. == Demographics ==