HOW TO GET TO BRIGHT
Surrounded by the rugged mountain ranges of the Great Dividing Range, a trip to Bright will feel worlds away. But you won't need a SpaceX flight to get here. Here are a few ways to find us.
BY CAR
Bright is under an hour drive, or 75km, from Wangaratta along the Great Alpine Road, one of the most scenic drives in the country. The Great Alpine Road starts in Wangaratta and runs 300km to Bairnsdale, passing through the towns of Myrtleford, Bright, Harrietville, Dinner Plain and Omeo. You can approach Bright from either direction. The road reaches an elevation of 1,825 metres at The Cross at Mount Hotham, making it the highest sealed road in the country.
FROM MELBOURNE
The fastest way is to travel north-east along the M31 Hume Freeway and take the Snow Road east through Milawa to join the Great Alpine Road at Gapsted, following it south until you reach Bright. The average drive time from Melbourne along this route is 3.5 hours.
If approaching from Bairnsdale, pay close attention to the weather; the alpine peaks are covered in snow during winter and early spring, with snowfalls possible anytime of year. Snow chains must be carried during the snow season.
FROM SYDNEY
Leave Sydney via the M5 Mororway, joining the M31 Hume Motorway, which becomes the M31 Hume Highway past Berrima. Continue south, exiting at Wodonga on the B400 and turning south along the scenic Yackandanda-Wodonga Road.
Join the Great Alpine Road at Myrtleford and continue south to Bright.
The drive is roughly seven hours, although please allow more time for rest stops and meal breaks.
BY PUBLIC BUS
The public V/Line service runs daily buses between Bright and Wangaratta Railway Station, with most services quickly connecting with a train service to or from Melbourne. Wait times for services to and from Sydney may be longer. A public bus service during the school term runs from Myrtleford to Albury-Wodonga each morning and Albury-Wodonga to Myrtleford each afternoon.
The Alps Bus Link, operated by Dyson, runs three days a week and offers affordable services from Bright to Omeo via Harrietville, Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain. Please note: summer and winter timetables vary.
To find the right service for you, please use the Public Transport Victoria Journey Planner.
BY PRIVATE COACH
Alpine Spirit Coaches and Snowdog Transport run charter services all year throughout the region, including snow services in winter.
During winter, coach services operated by HothamBus and FallsBus run from Adelaide, Albury, Melbourne and Sydney to Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, including stops at Myrtleford, Bright and Harrietville.
BY PLANE
Albury Airport is a 1.5 hour drive from Bright and facilitates daily flights from commercial airliners Qantas and Regional Express (REX).
The airport is serviced by four vehicle hire companies – Avis, Budget, Thrifty and Hertz.
Taxis and transfer services are available, including transfers to Mount Hotham and Falls Creek during the ski season.
Please note: public buses do not stop at the airport.
BY PRIVATE FLIGHT
There are three small airfields in the region that cater to private planes, helicopters and charter flights.
These are:
Taxis are available to transport visitors to nearby townships. For Porepunkah, phone 0423 015 152 or for Mount Beauty, phone 0409 573 909.
WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU
WAYS TO GET AROUND THE SURROUNDS
Sure, you can drive your own car, but if you want to make the most of the award-winning wines, craft beer and gin that our region has to offer, or have someone drive you to the snow, you might prefer to take a taxi, bus or charter service. We've also got plenty of hire bikes for making the most of the shared paths throughout our region. Here are a few services to get you around Bright & Surrounds.
OTHER EXPERIENCES YOU'LL LOVE
Mt Buffalo Family Abseiling
Ready to get the family outdoors, into some sunshine and have an adventure? This is the abseiling tour for you. Perfect for first-timers and kids, we’ll have a range of abseils on offer from nice and small for the kids and the nervous up to 25 meters to test anyone! This will push you out…
Mt Buffalo Rock Climbing
Join Bright Adventure Company and discover the premier climbing locations around Mt Buffalo. Learn the art of granite climbing whilst being taught the necessary rope skills to keep each other safe. This family-friendly experience is sure to spark the climbing bug and create great memories for all involved. You will be in safe hands throughout…
Mount Buffalo Beginners Abseiling
Looking to challenge the family, friends or yourself without jumping in the deep-end? Have a go at the beginners abseiling. It is fun, challenging and rewarding all at once. With a variety of sites ranging from eight metres – 35 metres, it is a great way to experience the mountain. This experience is provided by…
Half-Day Snowshoe Tour Cresta Valley (Snowshoes provided)
Enjoy the beauty of a snow-capped Mount Buffalo on a guided half-day snowshoe tour at Cresta Valley. Mount Buffalo Ski School tailor the length and difficulty of the tour to the group. Usually, they mix the route between marked and unmarked trails. This experience is provided by Mount Buffalo Ski School
Mt Buffalo Underground River Caving
This experience is great for everyone ages 10 and up, who have a moderate fitness level and who are ready for a challenge. We’ll start by gearing up with equipment to make you more comfortable, then take a short, scenic walk from the gorge carpark to the entrance of the underground river. You will be…
Myrtleford White Water Kayaking
Viewing the picturesque scenery of the Ovens River from Myrtleford on top of a sit on top kayak. They supply experienced local guides for paddling down the Ovens river in the grade two rapids along with all the activity specific gear that is needed. This experience is provided by Adventure Guides Australia
Mt Buffalo Dragon’s Foot Abseiling Adventure
Ready to step it up a notch? Get your friends together and go big on the 45-meter free-hanging Dragon’s Foot abseil. Definitely a level up from our family-friendly tour, this will get your heart going as you launch off the Dragon’s Foot 45-meter free-fall abseil. The adventure is not over once you hit the ground…
Cross Country Ski – Half Day Lesson and Tour (3 hours)
You will learn the same skills as for the ski lesson (above) and then practice these skills out on the trails. Your ski instructor will provide coaching and tuition throughout the tour, which will help you improve your ski technique. Best for: Beginners and families, recommended minimum age 7 This experience is provided by Mount…
Air Time 101 MTB Jumps Clinic
Have you dialled your skills on a variety of trails and feel ready to take the next step? Do you feel like it’s time to get airborne but don’t know where or how to start? Then RideCraft MTB’s Air Time 101 Jumps Course is for you! Learn the fundamentals of getting air under your wheels…