Brighton General Cemetery

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Brighton General Cemetery

A most historic and significant cemetery. The prized final resting place of eminent Victorians.

Established in 1854, Brighton General Cemetery is one of Melbourne’s oldest and most significant cemeteries and is one of eight cemeteries within the care of the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT). The classic garden style-grounds, which feature many significant and ornate monuments, span 12 hectares (30 acres) and are surrounded by an historic red brick wall.

08/03/2026

Hand on heart, they came with hope.

This St Patrick’s Day, look beyond the parades and discover the real stories of the Irish immigrants who helped build our community.

Join us on Sunday, 15 March for a special guided walk at Brighton General Cemetery. We will explore the triumphs and tragedies of those who arrived with willingness, resilience, and perhaps a bit of blarney.

We will visit the memorials of local figures including:

- Mary Malahan, who remarkably emigrated in her 70s to follow her sons to East Bentleigh—a testament to the strength of family bonds.

- Michael Quirk, Mary Brady, and Robert & Harriet Arnold, among others who made this area their home.

Discover the history written in stone right on your doorstep.

Event Details:
Date: Sunday, 15 March
Time: 2 pm
Meeting Point: Near the front gate, Brighton General Cemetery
Cost: $15 per person

Bookings are essential. Please call Lois on 9558 4248 to secure your place.

25/02/2026

If stones could speak... ✒️ Brighton General Cemetery is the final resting place of poets, politicians, and pioneers. Their stories helped shape Victoria. Who is the most interesting figure you've discovered here?

Photo Credit: S. Milbourn, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

09/02/2026

Step back into the exuberant era of the Yorick Club.

Brighton General Cemetery is more than a resting place; it is a library of Melbourne’s most fascinating stories.

Join us this Sunday, 15 February for a special guided tour exploring the legends of the Yorick Club—the writers, artists, and personalities who shaped the cultural fabric of our city.

We will be viewing the superb refurbishment of poet Adam Lindsay Gordon’s grave and visiting the final resting places of celebrated figures including:

- Cartoonist, illustrator and writer Tom Carrington
- Former Chief of Hansard David Dickenson Wheeler
- Journalist George Arthur Walstab

Come and hear the stories of these members and the lively era they represented.

Event Details:
Date: Sunday, 15 February
Time: 2 pm
Meeting Point: Near the front gate, Brighton General Cemetery
Cost: $15 per person

Bookings are essential. Please call Lois on 9558 4248 to secure your place.

23/01/2026

With hot conditions and higher temperatures forecast over the next few days, we encourage visitors to plan ahead and take care while visiting our cemeteries.

✅ Plan your visit: Come early or postpone to avoid the hottest part of the day.
💧 Stay safe: Drink plenty of water, take breaks in the shade, and wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
🤝 Be prepared: Look out for yourself and others in the extreme heat.

07/01/2026

With hot conditions continuing across the state and higher temperatures forecast tomorrow, we encourage visitors to plan ahead and take care while visiting our cemeteries.

✅ Plan your visit: Come early or postpone to avoid the hottest part of the day.
💧 Stay safe: Drink plenty of water, take breaks in the shade, and wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
🤝 Be prepared: Look out for yourself and others in the extreme heat.

31/12/2025

As the sun sets on 2025, we reflect on the memories we hold dear and the legacies we honour.

Thank you for allowing us to care for your loved ones this year. We look forward to serving you in 2026.

24/12/2025

To our community, today, we light a candle for those who are present in our hearts, even if they are absent from our tables.

However you are spending today, we wish you peace, comfort, and safe travels.
– The team at Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.

19/12/2025

We’re taking a short festive break🎄 Responses may take a little longer than usual, but we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. For anything urgent, please call 1300 466 904 or submit a contact form: www.smct.org.au/contact-us.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

04/12/2025

✅ Beautiful bins are here! 😍🚮
We’ve installed permanent heritage-style bin enclosures at Brighton General Cemetery, so you can always find the bin you need.

There are now 9 general waste bins and 1 organics bin located around the site.

What goes where?
Rubbish bins: general waste only
Organics bin: flowers, plants, and other organic material (no plastic or wrappers, please!)

This upgrade is part of SMCT’s commitment to:
🌱 Reduce waste going to landfill and litter on our sites
♻️ Maximise resources for recycling
💚 Make it easier for visitors to dispose of waste responsibly

For more information on waste and recycling at SMCT please visit smct.org.au/bins
Thank you for supporting a cleaner, greener cemetery.

20/11/2025

As you walk the heritage paths of Brighton General Cemetery, you'll find the resting places of many who shaped our culture.

One of the most visited is that of Adam Lindsay Gordon, often called the "national poet of Australia."

A gifted horseman and parliamentarian, Gordon's true legacy is his poetry. He was one of the first to capture the unique spirit and character of the Australian landscape, laying the groundwork for the bush ballad tradition.

Though his life was tragically short, his words endured. His monument, a striking obelisk, was unveiled in 1902 and remains a point of pilgrimage for literary lovers. We are honoured to be the custodians of his memorial, preserving the story of a man who gave Australia its own poetic voice.

Photo credit: S. Milbourn - http://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+2729/2.

03/11/2025

Join the Brighton Cemetorians for a special Remembrance Day Walk.

In honour of Remembrance Day, take a guided walking tour to hear the stories of the brave men and women resting at Brighton Cemetery who served their country in various wars.

We honour and remember them.

Event Details:
Date: Sunday 16 November
Time: 2pm
Location: Meet near the Office at Brighton Cemetery

Bookings are essential for this free tour. Please call Lois on 9558 4248 or email info@brightoncemetorians.org to reserve your place.

28/10/2025

What a celebration! We were thrilled to mark 170 years of Brighton General Cemetery with the incredible Brighton Cemetorians.

The day was filled with history, featuring special tours and even a horse-drawn hearse. Our wonderful volunteers and SMCT team members truly brought the past to life, dressing in 1855 attire (with a sensible dash of modern sunscreen!).

While Brighton has certainly changed in 170 years, we know the founders would be proud of the care, community, and dedication to honouring our shared history that continues today.

Address

Crn North Road & Hawthorn Rd
Melbourne, VIC
3162

Website

https://smct.org.au/our-locations/about-brighton-general-cemetery

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