ABOUT BRIGHT
The riverside town of Bright, located in the foothills of the Australian Alps, is renowned for its picture-perfect tree-lined streets, mountain views, local food and wine, boutique stores, markets, and outdoor adventures such as hiking, cycling and paragliding. All this, within close proximity to Victoria's alpine ski resorts, has firmly established Bright as one of Australia's most popular tourists destinations.
THE TOWN
Bright has changed dramatically since the gold mining days of the mid-1800s, when thousands seeking their fortune survived in shanties along our creeks and rivers. Now, reclaimed by nature, you can see remnants of this distant past as you walk the scenic trails surrounding the town. These days, Bright is a much loved escape full of vibrant eateries, boutique stores and markets, craft brews and local wine, set to a backdrop of mountain views where endless adventures await. With a wide-range of accommodation, and just over three hours from Melbourne along one of Australia's most scenic drives – the Great Alpine Road – you'll soon discover that one trip to Bright & Surrounds isn't enough.
THE SURROUNDS
Bright may be the popular place you know by name, but it's only a small part of the stunning region of Bright & Surrounds – an area of fertile valleys carved between alpine mountains by three rivers: the Ovens, Kiewa and Buckland. Cross the hills to Mount Beauty for dramatic views of Victoria's highest mountain; escape to the tranquility of Harrietville at the foot of Mount Feathertop; discover hidden mosaics in Myrtleford or drive Australia's highest sealed road to the alpine village of Dinner Plain. Get ready to pull up a chair at one of our region's country pubs, breweries and wineries, enjoy a bushwalk or go for a swim in our lakes and rivers, and get to know the places that make up our beautiful Surrounds.
EXPERIENCES YOU'LL LOVE
Quaff Wine Bar
Situated right in the heart of Mount Beauty, Quaff Wine Bar is all about the fantastic local wines that make this area special. They’re here to keep it simple – showcasing awesome wines and creating a laid-back hangout for both…
Billy Button Cellar Door Bright
The Billy Button name belongs to the native yellow flowers that colour the mountain tops of the Alpine Valleys. Known for the classic wine styles, but also consistently pushing the boundaries with tiny parcels of alternative varietals, Billy Button dares…
Pepperberry – Hara House
Introducing Pepperberry, a culinary experience nestled within the captivating Hara House in Bright, Victoria. With a five-star menu showcasing local produce and native Australian ingredients, complemented by a curated selection of premium local wines, Pepperberry restaurant offers an exquisite dining…
Gather and Harvest
Gather and Harvest hand crafts a range of luxury candles, soaps, lip balms, bath bombs and diffusers in its studio in the pristine Victorian High Country. Gather and Harvest’s soy candles are poured into recycled glass bottles, that have been…
Hotel High Plains
Conveniently located just 10 minutes from Hotham Alpine Resort and Hotham Airport, Hotel High Plains is your premier, year round host, in the spectacular and unique Alpine Village of Dinner Plain. Their in-house Cobungra Bar and Stone’s Throw Restaurant provide…
Ringer Reef Winery
A gold specimen found in the late 1800s by men ringbarking the property, led to the opening and naming of the mine, Ringer Reef. A century on, the Ringer Reef vineyard was established by Annie and Bruce Holm in 1998.…
Espire Clothing
Espire Clothing is a small clothing label that was born in Bright. They offer a made in store experience where tourists can step into their store and design their own garments- from hoodies to tee shirts. They have an open…
Sew Bright Alpine Quilting
Sew Bright Alpine Quilting is a specialty retail shop perfectly situated at the top end of Ireland Street, right in the heart of Bright’s main shopping precinct. Step inside and discover an ever-evolving collection of high-quality cotton fabrics. The shop…
Reed and Co. Distillery
A craft distillery, bar and restaurant, Reed and Co. Distillery was established in 2016 by hatted-chefs-turned-distillers Hamish Nugent and Rachel Reed in Bright, Victoria. Reed and Co. is inspired by the beautiful natural landscape of their home in Victoria’s High…
OUR STORY
THE THINGS THAT HAVE SHAPED US
Delve into our past to discover how the towns of Bright & Surrounds came to be here among the rugged mountain ranges of the Australian Alps.
HISTORIC HUTS
DISCOVER OUR HIGH COUNTRY HUTS
Dotted throughout the wild Australian Alps are historic huts with a story to tell. Here’s how you can find them.