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
Group MTB Skills Session
Grab a group of mates and hit the trails with us! Take your riding to the next level with a MTB skills session just for you and your gang – these sessions cater for between 2-8 riders. You’ll have a highly-qualified coach all to yourself for these 3-hour sessions so you’ll get personalised feedback, and…
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…
Alpine Valleys Wine Region
On this tour of the Alpine Valleys you can tailor your visit to include four or five of the regions finest wineries and cellar doors. Pick up from your accommodation in the morning is around 10:00am and drop off around 5:00 – 5:30pm. Experience a range of the boutique wineries that surround Rutherglen including: Touring…
High Country Horsemanship Clinic
Horsemanship clinic in a spectacular classroom, beyond the yard and stable. Advance your horse and rider relationship in a working environment. Great horses, beautiful camps, brumby country, experienced leaders. This five day travelling clinic combines the rewards of a remote packhorse expedition with the the extra dimension of horsemanship skill building in a working environment.…
Mt Buffalo Cathedral Explorer
Over a few hours you will walk, squeeze through chimneys, scramble under, over and around boulders, climb some rope ladders and finally scramble right to the highest point on the Cathedral. After taking in some amazing views that not many people get to appreciate we have an exciting abseil right back to the ground. This…
Women’s MTB Discovery Day
Your first MTB ride starts here! Ready to dive into the world of mountain biking but not sure where to start? Join the team for a Women’s MTB Discovery Day, a fun and supportive three-hour beginner-friendly session designed just for very new riders—no prior experience needed! What to Expect: Get to Know Your Bike –…
Guided Ride of Mystic Park, Bright
Want to ride Mystic like a local? They are incredibly lucky to call Mystic Park – one of Australia’s premier mountain bike parks – their backyard, and they know it like the back of their hands. Hit Hero and Shred Kelly but then head out and find some other hidden gems in Mystic’s 70 kilometres…
Bright Guided Mountain Bike Ride
A perfect way to see the best of Bright! All Terrain Cycles’ experienced instructors will take you on terrain best suited to your ability and fitness, riding trails to maximise fun and high fives. Our guides are first aid qualified and can also provide mechanical backup. Style – Guide will cater to riders needs, including…
E-Bike MTB Skills Session
Think mastering an e-MTB is just the same as a regular analogue bike? Think again! E-MTBs allow you to go a lot faster and a lot further, making it more important than ever to have good bike skills and technique. Their E-Bike MTB Skills Sessions are led by qualified MTB instructors with specialised e-MTB coaching…