Toorbul is 49 kilometres (30 mi) north of Brisbane. Toorbul is bounded on the east by Pumicestone Channel which separates mainland Queensland from Bribie Island. It is bounded to the north by Elimbah Creek and to the south by Ningi Creek, both which flow into the Pumicestone Channel.[4] There are a number of low flat islands immediately off the coast which are included within the locality including Parrot Island and Shag Island.[4]
The town is located along the north-east coast of the locality.[4]
Pumicestone Road connects the entire locality running from the west (Caboolture) through to the town on the eastern coast.[4]
History
The town takes its name from Toorbul Point, which is believed to be a Yuggera language (Yugarabul dialect) word referring to a specific Aboriginal people associated with the Ninghi area.[2][5] However, Toorbul Point is not within the present day boundaries of the locality of Toorbul but in Sandstone Point to the south-east.[4]
In 1944 during World War II, RAAF 210 Radar Station was established at 1295 Pumicestone Road. It was a British-designed Advanced Chain Overseas (ACO) radar stations, one of four constructed in Queensland.[11]
Demographics
In the 2011 census, the locality of Toorbul had a population of 877 people, 47.2% female and 52.8% male. The median age of the Toorbul population was 53 years, 16 years above the national median of 37. 80% of people living in Toorbul were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 3.1%, New Zealand 1.3%, Papua New Guinea 0.6%, Finland 0.3%, Denmark 0.3%. 88.2% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.3% Finnish, 0.3% Japanese.[12]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Toorbul had a population of 930 people.[13]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Toorbul had a population of 958 people.[1]
Transport
There is no regular public bus service in Donnybrook, however there is one bus service every Thursday. This service is operated under route 9999. It travels from Toorbul via Donnybrook providing connection to services at Caboolture and Morayfield.[14]