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. However, Toorbul Point is not within the present day boundaries of the locality of Toorbul but in
Sandstone Point to the south-east. 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. It was on a site at 1461-1477 Pumicestone Road (). 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. == Demographics ==