News
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 as the grapes are inspected, sorted, cleaned, crushed and fermented.…
Read MoreThe 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 before you dive in—these venues are buzzing—so make it mid-week…
Read MoreWeekends 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, we’ve curated three helpful itineraries for you to plan that…
Read MoreSpectacular 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 international competitors too, hit the skies above the town for…
Read MoreDiscovering 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 makeover for summer. “We love to walk in the reserve…
Read MoreWhere 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 & Surrounds, there are few locals who haven’t seen these magnificent…
Read MoreSurprise changes to the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
It’s been 15 years since the first section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail opened between Myrtleford and Bright, blazing the way for cycle tourism in Australia. Now part of a whopping 185km bike-path network that stretches from Wangaratta to Bright, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Milawa and Harrietville, the fully sealed trail remains one of Australia’s…
Read MoreOur rivers are springing alive
The blue skies of spring are here and the sun is streaming down to warm the earth and awaken the buds of sleeping trees. Songbirds are celebrating. And amidst it all, our mountain rivers skip and jump on their way to the Murray and out to the ocean. This is their time to shine—when the…
Read MoreFive mistakes to avoid on your first snow holiday
We’re halfway through the snow season and hasn’t it been divine! It’s been wonderful to see a lot of new faces about, too. First trips to the snow are special memories that last a lifetime. We have, however (ah… how do we put this delicately), noticed a few embarrassing mistakes that have landed some in…
Read MoreMore snow than ever on the Dinner Plain toboggan slope
Dinner Plain has cemented its place as the best place to toboggan in Australia with the opening of its very own Snow Factory—meaning more snow, more often. The Pea Shooter Toboggan Slope, located at 1,500m altitude on a protected hillside among the snow gums of Dinner Plain Alpine Village, has long been a winter…
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