NEWS & VIEWS
A wrap of the 2026-27 trail running calendar
TRAIL RUNNING WRAP The 2026/27 season is about to begin in the trail running capital of Australia. There are few places that can compete with Bright & Surrounds for its range of trails, landscapes and trail running events. For this reason, many have dubbed us…
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Three Epic Gravel Rides In Bright & Surrounds
GREAT GRAVEL Exploring our backroads by bike has never been more popular. The absence of traffic, the birdsong, the smell of eucalypts tickling the air, all of it alluring road cyclists to swap out their slicks for a bit of tread. Don’t get us wrong-road cycling remains enormously popular. We’re still…
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Here’s why we always have snow on the Dinner Plain toboggan slope
If there’s one thing you absolutely want on a snow holiday, it’s snow! Some years it buckets down, and others, weather patterns, El Niño, the Southern Annular Mode, and climate change align to make the powdery white stuff thin on the ground. But, here in…
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The ultimate wellness hibernation is in Bright & Surrounds
Gone are the wild days of summer, beach hair and late-night sunsets. It’s time to curl up by an open fire, snuggle a warm mug of spiced wine, and hibernate—in style! Winter gives us the time and space to reset, to watch whisps of cloud…
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The Best Snow Experiences That Don’t Involve Skis
Snow holidays can be about so much more than lift passes and first tracks. Don’t get us wrong—skiing and snowboarding are amazing! But there are plenty of other lovely things to do in the snow that don’t involve binders. Our snowy peaks are, after all,…
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Hands-on cooking at Myrtleford’s La Fiera Italian Festival
When it comes to making exceptional Italian pasta and gnocchi, a recipe is of little help, says local chef Sam from Salute Italian Pizza and Food, located in Myrtleford’s lovely Lupo’s Kiln Café. “It’s all ‘feeling’ in Italian cuisine,” says Sam. “Food absorbs water differently…
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News on the 2026 vintage, plus our top recommended wines!
It’s an intensely exciting time of year at out Alpine Valley wineries. Grape pickers work the vines night and day to ensure the entire crop is harvested at precisely the right moment—the sugars, acidity and flavours must be just right. Timing is of the essence…
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The Hottest New Foodie Destinations in Bright & Surrounds
Our region is known for its great food, but wowzers, not even we can believe the foodie explosion that erupted this summer. Have you had a bite of it? So many hot new venues have opened it’s driving our taste buds wild. A little tip…
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Weekends Away To Surprise That Special Someone
The summer holiday frenzy is over, which means Bright & Surrounds now comes with extra leg room—just in time for Valentines Day! February is the perfect time to surprise someone with a weekend away. But where to start with all this leg-stretching space? All good,…
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Spectacular Paragliding in the Skies of Bright
Visitors to Bright & Surrounds in January are rewarded with what is arguably our region’s most stunning event: a paragliding spectacle that transforms the skies over Bright into a confetti feast for the eyes. Each year, one hundred paraglider pilots, including Australia’s best and top…
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Discovering Harrietville’s No. 1 Thing To Do
Tucked behind a quiet street in Harrietville lies a fascinating and unlikely gem—a tranquil swimming hole surrounded by native bush, walking tracks and gold mining history. The Tronoh Dredge Hole is an absolute favourite with anyone who goes there and it’s just received a little…
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Where to spot a Platypus
They may be a national treasure, but few Australians have ever seen a platypus in the wild. Their numbers are dwindling rapidly, having lost 22% of their habitat (or three-times the size of Tasmania) over the past 30 years. And yet, here in Bright &…
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