Donnybrook is 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Brisbane, the state capital. The closest major population centre is Caboolture, 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the west.
The town name was approved by the Queensland Place Names Board on 1 October 1975. The name appears to be derived from a corroboree site, or because of fights amongst oyster gatherers at weekend camps.[2]
The town started out as a small fishing community but has since developed into a tourist destination.[citation needed]
Pumicestone Post Office opened on 1 August 1958. It was renamed Donnybrook in 1976.[5]
In 1985, an unsealed road running along the waterfront was named Grant Lane after Robert Grant (1895 – 15 November 1991) for his 90th birthday, a popular local who everyone knew as "Pop". A few years later the road was sealed after he had complained for years of the dust produced by all the passers-by.[6]
Sand mining and sewerage works have recently[when?] been proposed for the area.[citation needed]
Donnybrook District Bowls Club opened in 1980. In 2018, it broadened its scope to include darts and fishing.[7]
In the 2006 census, the locality of Donnybrook had a population of 554.[8]
In the 2011 census, the locality of Donnybrook recorded a population of 461 people, 48.6% female and 51.4% male.[9] The median age of the Donnybrook population was 53 years, compared to the national median age of 37. 87.3% of people living in Donnybrook were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 4.8%, Germany 1.1%, Netherlands 1.1%, Papua New Guinea 1.1%, Wales 0.9%. 93.7% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common language was 1.1% Greek.[9]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Donnybrook had a population of 617 people.[1]
Education
There are no schools in Donnybrook. The nearest primary schools are Beerburrum State School in neighbouring Beerburrum to the north-west and Pumicestone State School in Caboolture to the south-west. The nearest secondary school is Caboolture State High School in Caboolture to the south-west.[4]
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 providing connection to services at Caboolture and Morayfield.[10]
