Brighton

Some Tasmanian places seem to have the strangest names!  Brighton, a pleasant seaside resort town on the southern coast of England can surely have little similarity with Brighton, a military post, on the outskirts of Hobart.

However in 1821, Governor Macquarie decided that this town should be named Brighton, 'in honour of our present gracious Sovereign's favorite place of residence'. 

At one stage, Brighton was considered a suitable capital of the island, however its moment of glory was short lived.  Today and true to its history, Brighton's major claim to importance is its proximity to the former Brighton Military Camp.  A generation of Tasmanians remember it as our centre for National Service.  In 1999, it was one of several camps across Australia used as a safe haven for refugees from the conflict in Kosovo. 

One of Tasmania's most popular wildlife attractions is located near Brighton.  Bonorong Wildlife Park houses echidnas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, Forester kangaroos and a range of other, much-loved native animals.