Brighton, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brighton Brisbane, Queensland
Brighton shoreline at Bramble Bay (looking south), 2010
Brighton Location in Queensland
Population	9,664 (2021 census)
• Density	1,272/km2 (3,290/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4017
Area	7.6 km2 (2.9 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	27.9 km (17 mi) NNE of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Deagon Ward)
State electorate(s)	Sandgate
Federal Division(s)	Lilley
Suburbs around Brighton: Griffin Griffin Bramble Bay Bald Hills Brighton Bramble Bay Bracken Ridge Sandgate Sandgate

Brighton is a coastal suburb in the northern part of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's a great place to live with a population of 9,664 people, according to the 2021 census.

Where is Brighton?

Brighton is one of the most northern suburbs in Brisbane. It's about 28 kilometers (17 miles) north of the main city center.

Natural Boundaries

Brighton is surrounded by water and natural features.

• To the north, you'll find the Pine River.
• To the east, it meets Bramble Bay, which is part of the larger Moreton Bay.
• Other boundaries include Bracken Ridge Road and Bald Hills Creek.

Nashville Neighborhood

Inside Brighton, there's a small area called Nashville. It's located in the southwestern part of the suburb.

What Brighton Looks Like

Most of Brighton has houses where people live. In the northern part, there are some larger rural homes and natural wetlands. Wetlands are areas of land that are often wet, like swamps or marshes. There's also a place called Third Lagoon in the southwest.

Brighton's Story

Brighton has a cool history, starting with a hotel!

How Brighton Got Its Name

The suburb got its name from the Brighton Hotel. This hotel was built a long time ago on Beaconsfield Terrace. It's thought to be named after a famous place called Brighton in England.

Early Churches and Schools

• A Methodist church was built in Brighton in 1920. It was later moved and became a house.
• Brighton State School opened its doors to students on January 27, 1920.
• Nashville State School opened later, on January 25, 1960.
• St Kieran's Catholic School also opened in 1960, on February 2.

The Bridges to Redcliffe

Southern portal of the Hornibrook Bridge, 2010

Since 1935, three bridges have connected Brighton to the Redcliffe Peninsula.

• The first bridge, the Hornibrook Bridge, opened in 1935.
• A second bridge, the Houghton Highway, opened in 1979. After this, the Hornibrook Bridge was closed to cars but people could still walk, cycle, or fish on it.
• The third bridge, the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, opened in 2010. Now, the Houghton Highway is used for cars going north, and the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge is for cars going south.
• Most of the old Hornibrook Bridge was taken down in 2010 because it was getting old and expensive to fix. Only small parts remain for people to enjoy.

Remains of the Brighton end of the Hornibrook Highway Bridge after demolition, 2012

From Barracks to Health Campus

RAAF Station Sandgate, 1944

During World War II, Brighton was home to barracks for the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Air Training School.

• After the war, this site became a large nursing home called Eventide, run by the Queensland Government.
• In 2012, the nursing home closed.
• Today, the site is called the Brighton Health Campus. It offers different health services, including rehabilitation and some aged care.

Eventide Hospital, 1947

Inside Eventide Home, 1949

Other Developments

• Brighton Baptist church opened in 1958 but is now a private home.
• The Autism Therapy & Education Centre opened in 1991.

Who Lives in Brighton?

In 2021, Brighton had 9,664 people living there. Most people (78.4%) were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces include England and New Zealand. Most people in Brighton speak English at home.

Important Places

Brighton has some places that are important for their history.

• The old Hornibrook Bridge (even though most of it is gone).
• The former RAAF barracks site, which is now the Brighton Health Campus.

Schools in Brighton

Brighton has several schools for young people:

• Brighton State School: A government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6.
• Nashville State School: Another government primary school for Prep to Year 6.

Nashville State School, 2024

• St Kieran's Catholic School: A Catholic primary school for Prep to Year 6.
• Autism Queensland Education & Therapy Centre: A private school that helps students from Prep to Year 12 who have autism.

Things to Do in Brighton

Brighton has many places for fun and relaxation.

Health and Community

• The Brighton Health Campus provides health services.
• The Brisbane City Council's mobile library visits Decker Park every two weeks, so you can borrow books!

Parks and Green Spaces

Brighton has lots of parks where you can play, exercise, or just relax. Some of them include:

• Beaconsfield Terrace Park
• Brighton Park
• Decker Park
• Dianella Reserve
• Goodenia Reserve
• Gordon Street Park
• North Road Park
• Sandgate Foreshores Park
• Townsend Street Park
• Wakefield Park

Fun Attractions

Brighton Wetlands' Speight Street Entrance

Brighton Wetlands

Brighton has a special natural area called the Brighton Wetlands. It's a protected woodland wetland. This area fills with water when it rains a lot, and the water flows into a small creek that goes out to Bramble Bay. It's a great place to see nature!

Brighton Esplanade

A cyclist enjoying Brighton Esplanade

The Brighton Esplanade is a beautiful parkland area along the coast. It's perfect for walking, cycling, and families to enjoy. If you like water sports, Brighton's beach is popular for kite surfing, especially at low tide. The road along the esplanade is called Flinders Parade, named after Captain Matthew Flinders, who was one of the first Europeans to explore the area.