Victoria (Eastern Region)

Set at the base of the high country in the Ovens Valley, Bright is one of the most beautiful towns in Australia. Sheltered against mountain storms and winds, it is renowned for its weather, year round. Whatever the season, it will surprise you. In autumn the colours of the deciduous trees are spectacular and the town is framed in red and gold and russet. In summer it is decked with soft cool greens and in spring blossom and flowers fill the gardens and parks.

Bright celebrates autumn and spring with festivals. Associated with the Autumn Festival is the Bright Art Exhibition. This is a nationally recognised exhibition which attracts artists from all over the country. In Spring you will find gardens open to you, and local traders and crafts people have their wares for sale. People here are hospitable and proud of their town and its heritage.

From Bright you can visit the Alpine and Mount Bufalo National Park, go skiing at Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Mount Buffalo, walk around the old goldfields, or fish the local rivers and streams. Be sure to visit the Wandiligong Valley, now registered with the National Trust. A number of historic buildings in the old mining town are preserved. Fine wines, crisp apples and autumn nuts are regional specialties, put to good use in many local eateries. This is the heartlands of the high country.

Activities

In summer outdoor activities are on offer – such as paragliding, hang-gliding, bushwalking, horse-riding and cycling. Alpine Paragliding, 6 Ireland St (tel 03/5755 1753), organizes tandem flights for novices, and introductory and full courses leading to a licence. You could take to the air in a powered hang-glider from Bright Micro-Light Centre (tel 03/5750 1555) or with the Eagle School of Hang-Gliding (tel 03/5755 1724 or 018/570 168), who also do instructor-accompanied tandem flights. Or enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the gorgeous mountain scenery from a small plane with Holiday Air Adventures (mobile tel 015/509 191). Freeburgh Trail Rides, on Harrietville Road in Freeburgh, about 4km north of Bright (tel 03/5755 1370), do very good short horseback rides for beginners; they also have longer rides and can arrange overnight safaris with bushcamping. High Country Expeditions (tel 03/5756 2498) offer half- or full-day 4WD trips and camping tours into the high country, while Bright Platypus (tel 03/5750 1880) arranges inexpensive night-walks, canoeing trips, mountain-bike tours and other activities.

For a change of pace, visit Boynton’s of Bright, a winery 10km northwest of Bright at Porepunkah, on the northeast slopes of the Ovens River Valley, which specializes in cool-climate wines (daily 10am–5pm; tel 03/5756 2356). There are picnic areas on its lawns, with spectacular views of Mount Buffalo.

Practicalities

One of the best places to stay is the excellent Ellenvale Holiday Units, east of town at 68 Delany Ave, have a solar-heated pool and spa, tennis court and barbecues. Also good-value, and with similar facilities, are the Mystic Valley Cottages, 9 Mystic Lane, 2km southeast on the way to Wandiligong, situated on a hill overlooking the beautiful Wandiligong Valley. Slightly further out (8km from Bright), but set in the valley itself, is the Mountain View Hotel, also known as the Wandi Pub, which offers B&B accommodation and serves classic Aussie pub food. 

The best-value motels in Bright are the centrally located Elm Lodge, 2 Wood St, and the charming century-old Alpine Hotel, 7 Anderson St. The latter is the focal point of town, with a rowdy bar, good-value bistro meals and excellent breakfasts; the back bar has bands on Friday night, and outside there’s a sunny beer garden.

Other good places to eat are the Liquid Am-Bar Restaurant Cafe, opposite the Alpine Hotel, which (besides the amber fluid alluded to in its name) also serves good coffee; likewise the Edelweiss Bakery & Coffee Shop next to the post office at 5 Ireland St, which also sells good bread and pastries; and the Bright Bakery at 80 Gavan St. Two cheap, casual family restaurants are Alps at 94 Gavan St and the Cosy Kangaroo, across the street. For a big treat there are Poplar’s Restaurant, at 4/7 Star Rd (tel 03/5755 1655), licensed and BYO, open daily for dinner, and Simone’s, at the Ovens Valley Motor Inn, corner of Ovens Highway and Ashwood Avenue (tel 03/5755 2022; licensed; open daily for dinner), which ranks as one of the top Italian restaurants in Victoria. Its offshoot is the equally reputable Cafe Bacco at 2D Anderson St (tel 03/5750 1711; Wed–Sun lunch and dinner).