10 Things to do in Bright
Victoria’s alpine country is a year-round playground. In Winter, discover snow-capped peaks, ski slopes and cosy chalets. Come Summer, explore scenic trails for hiking and mountain biking, cast a line for fishing or dive into crystal-clear rivers for swimming adventures. Add to that a thriving food and wine scene that delights in every season.
The High Country’s diverse landscape offers something for everyone – from adventure seekers and couples, to families and food lovers. At its heart lies the charming town of Bright. Nestled on the Ovens River and framed by majestic mountains, Bright and its neighbouring towns, Porepunkah and Wandiligong, brim with year-round experiences.
Here are 10 of the best things to do in Bright right now.
- Take a gin flight at Reed and Co Distillery
Reed and Co is a small family-operated distillery, tasting room, bar, restaurant and bottleshop in the heart of Bright. Offering cocktails, spirit tastings, dinner & snacks in a relaxed environment, utilising traditional distilling methods. Visit the distillery door for tastings of their Remedy Gin, then kick back in the bar for craft cocktails and smart bar snacks. Along with bottles of Remedy Gin, bottled cocktails, tonic water and garnishes are also available for takeaway.
- Float the Ovens River
Whether you’re exploring waterfalls and swimming holes, fly fishing, kayaking or taking a leisurely float on a tube, the region’s river networks are an endless source of natural entertainment. The Ovens River is dammed at Bright and Porepunkah around Christmas to create natural river swimming pools. One unforgettable summertime experience is to go tubing down the Ovens River from Bright to Porepunkah. For swimming holes along the Ovens and Buckland Rivers, check the Visitor Information Centers in town.
- Make a splash
Bright’s Splash Park, Harrietville’s Dredge Hole or Lake Buffalo near Myrtleford are just some of the many family-friendly swimming spots you can visit in the warmer months, while waterfalls, such as Dinner Plain’s Carmichael Falls, Fainter Falls near Bogong Village or Mount Buffalo’s Ladies Bath Falls are a scenic option for those who don’t want to get their feet wet.
- To market, to market
The region is a foodie’s paradise and the best way to meet local growers and try local specialties is at one of the monthly farmers’ markets. Checkout the Make It, Bake It, Grow It farmers market in Howitt Park on the banks of the beautiful Ovens River in Bright on the 3rd Saturday of the month; the Myrtleford Farmers Market on the fourth Saturday of the month; and the Mount Beauty Community Market held at the top end of Hollonds Street and Kiewa Crescent on the first Saturday the month.
- Make a daytrip to Harrietville
Take a short 20-minute drive to Harrietville, a historic town that began as a goldmining settlement during the Victorian Gold Rush. Here, you can cast a line at local trout farm Stoney Creek Trout and Salmon Farm for a spot of fishing guaranteed to produce results. Head to the Harrietville Snowline Hotel for lunch before you head back to Bright. There’s a huge outdoor dining area with stunning views and a family-friendly country pub menu.
- Picnic at Mt Buffalo
Grab a picnic pack from the Billy Button Cellar Door, then head up Mt Buffalo for a picnic at Lake Catani – one of the most stunning spots in the region. It also has an amazing campground if you are interested in sleeping under the stars. While you’re there, check out the Mt Buffalo Chalet, which was built in 1910 and is the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s not open to the public frequently, but you can see the amazing façade and gardens. After lunch, take the 1-hour Gorge Heritage Walk and follow in the footsteps of local pioneer ‘Guide Alice’. She was a guide and naturalist who ran her own guesthouse on the mountain at the turn of the century, guiding people up the mountain and pioneering outdoor wear for women with her trademark woollen pantsuit.
- Alt-picnic at Mt Buffalo
An alternative (and slightly more hair-raising) picnic option on Mt Buffalo is a cliff picnic with Bright Adventure Company. You are treated to a spread of local produce, but the catch here is that you’re suspended 300m above the valley floor on a rock-climbing ledge with majestic views in all directions. There are sunrise, lunch or dinner cliff picnic options, and two ledges available for groups of four.
- Horse-riding in the High Country
Take a day trip to Tawonga, where you can saddle up for a scenic horseback tour of the Alpine National Park with Bogong Horseback Adventures. Day rides start at two hours and stretch from a half day to a full day with lunch included. For the full bush ranger experience, overnight pack horse rides traverse the highest of the High Country, with spectacular climbs and descents across wild rivers and diverse landscapes. Campfire meals feature local ingredients and wine, then it’s time to bed down in a swag under the stars.
- Take to the skies
Adventure-seekers can launch into a tandem paraglide over Victoria’s spectacular High Country to take in the amazing scenery from a new angle. Active Flight Paragliding offer tandem flights for beginners and one or two day paragliding introductory courses for dedicated thrill-seekers. For a similar view without the adrenaline rush, take a scenic helicopter flight with Hilife Helicopters, who offer scenic flights and tours over Bright, Mt Buffalo and Mt Hotham.
- Take a guided and catered hike
For people who are equally passionate about food, wine and walking, Hedonistic Hiking offer all-inclusive guided, catered walking holidays. ‘Highlights of the High Country’ is their Alpine itinerary that starts and ends in Bright. It explores the magnificent mountain scenery surrounding the ski villages of Falls Creek, Hotham and Dinner Plain, with regional produce and award-winning local wines in the mix to fuel each day.
Not sure where to stay – visit our blog ‘Where to Stay in Bright’ – CLICK HERE
Need more help? Why not touch base with our friends at Alpine Valley Getaways https://alpinevalleygetaways.
