Bright, VIC
Amazing food and wine, stunning scenery and no shortage of outdoor activities await at this popular spot in Victoria's High Country.
Where To Stay In Bright
Our favourite accommodation spot is just up the road in Porepunkah, the brilliant Porepunkah Pines Holiday Park. It's idyllic location is exactly what we love about this area, giving you a strong sense of connection to nature and an easy base to explore all that the region has to offer. We love just strolling through the park, particularly along the walking track next to the Ovens River.
Where To Eat & Drink In Bright
The Alpine Valleys wine region which encompasses Bright and the surrounding area produces some delicious cool climate wines. One of our favourite wineries is Billy Button Wines, and their Cellar Door is actually located in the town of Bright. It's a great spot to go to enjoy this award-winning winery's delicious drops which can be enjoyed with small goods, cheeses and local produce from their deli section. If you’re keen to visit a cellar door at an actual vineyard, our go-to is Gapsted Estate, located approximately 30 minutes drive away which has a great restaurant to go with its cellar door. Be sure to book ahead if you’re planning lunch here on a summer weekend. If your preferred tipple is a beer, a visit to Bright Brewery is a must to sample the delicious brews of this independent and family-owned craft brewery. We’re big fans of the Staircase Porter, particularly in the colder months. There’s several great pubs in Bright but our favourite is the Star Hotel. It's got a great deck area which is perfect for enjoying a cold drink in the fresh alpine air.
What To Do In Bright
During the snow season a visit to Mount Hotham is a must if you have any interest in skiing or snowboarding. It’s roughly an hour drive away and is an easy mountain to visit on a day trip. There’s no shortage of hikes in the area which are a great way to experience the beautiful great outdoors. Our favourite is the 1.5 km journey up to the Huggins Lookout which starts in Bright. It’s a short distance but can be steep at times, once you make it to the lookout you’ll enjoy fantastic views over Bright and up the Ovens River towards Porepunkah. If you’ve brought a bike or hired one from the park, head to the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, an iconic cycling route and one that you can explore as far as you’re happy to ride. There’s a 27 km section between Bright and the nearby town of Harrietville which is all sealed and well signed which we recommend sticking to if you’re not an experienced cyclist. The path snakes along the foot of the Alpine ranges through beautiful green bushland alongside the river. If you’re up for some fishing, you can find both Perch and Murray Cod in the Ovens River which runs through Bright. If you’re staying at Tasman Holiday Parks Bright you can even fish from the banks of the river within the park.
The Essentials In Bright
Bright is a popular spot and has multiple supermarkets, grocery stores and pharmacies so you won’t have to travel far for the essentials. If you need caravan or camping gear, head to Bright Outdoor Centre.
The Drive To Bright
As always, we give you the rundown on the drive you’ll take from some nearby major cities.
From Melbourne - It will take you just over 3 and a half hours to cover the 321 km from Melbourne to Bright.
From Sydney - 653 km means just under 7 hours drive time from Sydney. We love the Southern Highlands, and Bowral is a great place to stop for a night or two to break up the trip.
From Adelaide - From Adelaide we prefer the route that stays mainly north of the Murray, stretching 930 km for 10 hours drive time. We’ll always stop for a few nights in Deniliquin.
