The lands around the town was first settled by Europeans in 1840.
The town takes its name from a pastoral run named by John Augustus Milbourne Marsh around 1844.

Clifton Post Office opened on 20 April 1869 (it was known as King's Creek for a short period in 1869).

In 1877, 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) were resumed from the Clifton pastoral run and offered for selection on 17 April 1877.

The Clifton War Memorial is located on the corner of King and Edward Streets.

Clifton Colliery Provisional School opened on 11 December 1876.
It became Clifton Colliery State School on 7 October 1878.
It closed in 1936.

Clifton Homestead Area State School opened circa 1879 and closed circa 1918.

Clifton State School opened on 19 September 1892.
On 28 January 1964 it opened a secondary department, an arrangement which continued until Clifton State High School opened on 24 January 1966.

An undated map shows allotments for sale in the township of King's Creek, situated on the Clifton Estate.
The allotments were adjacent to the railway line, close to King's Creek railway station, and King's Creek.
An article in the Darling Downs Gazette on 20 June 1885 notes the sale of allotments at the new township of King's Creek.

St Francis De Sales' School opened on 25 February 1917 with the arrival of four Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
The original Clifton Catholic Church was moved to Tooth Street and was renovated to become the school.
In 1979 the Sisters ceased to operate the school and it is now under lay leadership.

The Clifton Library opened in 2002.
The lands around the town was first settled by Europeans in 1840. The town takes its name from a pastoral run named by John Augustus Milbourne Marsh around 1844.
Clifton Post Office opened on 20 April 1869 (it was known as King's Creek for a short period in 1869).
In 1877, 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) were resumed from the Clifton pastoral run and offered for selection on 17 April 1877.
The Clifton War Memorial is located on the corner of King and Edward Streets.
Clifton Colliery Provisional School opened on 11 December 1876. It became Clifton Colliery State School on 7 October 1878. It closed in 1936.
Clifton Homestead Area State School opened circa 1879 and closed circa 1918.
Clifton State School opened on 19 September 1892. On 28 January 1964 it opened a secondary department, an arrangement which continued until Clifton State High School opened on 24 January 1966.
An undated map shows allotments for sale in the township of King's Creek, situated on the Clifton Estate. The allotments were adjacent to the railway line, close to King's Creek railway station, and King's Creek. An article in the Darling Downs Gazette on 20 June 1885 notes the sale of allotments at the new township of King's Creek.
St Francis De Sales' School opened on 25 February 1917 with the arrival of four Sisters of the Good Samaritan. The original Clifton Catholic Church was moved to Tooth Street and was renovated to become the school. In 1979 the Sisters ceased to operate the school and it is now under lay leadership.
The Clifton Library opened in 2002.
Clifton, Queensland