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
Red Ramia Trading
Red Ramia Trading is an enormous globe-trotter’s emporium from fishing floats and hand painted tiles to larger than life gorillas. There is certainly more to see than the front entrance suggests. Take a trip through Japan, Morocco and India as you wander through a mixture of hand picked antiques, artisan crafted good and recycled items.…
West Peak Hotel
West Peak Hotel serves Award Winning pub food that includes locally sourced produce, and meals are made fresh daily. Live music every Saturday from 3:00pm, community raffles each Friday and Texas Hold’em Poker nights can be enjoyed Thursdays year-round. There is a function room available for any event, big or small. Boasting the best beer…
Grass Valley
Nestled at the bottom of the Kiewa Valley in Mount Beauty, Grass Valley is a reflection of the place they live, and the place they love. With decades of hospitality experience, their team are passionate about offering Mount Beauty and Tawonga the best coffee and food served with delicious wines, cocktails and good times.
Bright Brewery
Bright Brewery is a proudly independent craft brewery, bar, restaurant and bike hub located in the heart of beautiful Bright. With the backdrop of Victoria’s spectacular Alps, their key values of – active, sustainable and authentic – are the cornerstones of everything Bright Brewery do. From brewing beers that reflect the bold and wild local…
Ginger Baker Cafe – Wine and Food
Positioned alongside the gorgeous Ovens River, Ginger Baker Cafe enjoys a prime location set amongst a backdrop that includes natural waterfalls, towering elm trees, and a surprisingly eclectic exterior. Open for breakfast and lunch, the café offers a variety of fabulous food dishes sourced from local vendors throughout Bright and surrounds. If you are craving…
Reed & Co. Distillery
Bright craft distillery, Reed & Co Distillery was established in 2016 by chefs turned distillers Hamish Nugent and Rachel Reed. It all began at the helm of their former hatted restaurant Tani. Reed & Co was founded as a result of inspiration from the botanicals of the natural landscape in Victoria’s high country, and seeking…
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.