Toorbul, Queensland

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]

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]

Toorbul Provisional School opened circa 1891. On 1 January 1909 it became Toorbul State School. It experienced some temporary closures most likely due to low student numbers and closed permanently circa 1935.[6]

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.[7]

In the 2011 census, Toorbul recorded 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.

In the 2016 census, Toorbul had a population of 930 people.[1]

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.[8]

The Moreton Bay Regional Council operates a mobile library service which visits the Jetty Car Park on The Esplanade.[9]

There are no schools in Toorbul. There are primary and secondary schools in neighbouring Caboolture.[4]

• "Toorbul". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
• "Town map of Toorbul". Queensland Government. 1973.