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
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…
South Wall Advanced Abseiling (Full-day)
Feel like a full day adventure to challenge you mentally and physically? Tackle our South Wall Abseil. This 250 metre abseil can be a big challenge as the first pitch is 90 metre long looking over the Ovens Valley and out to the Australian Alps. The abseil has another four pitches followed by a hike…
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…
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…
Women’s Intro to Night Riding Workshop
Experience the trails after dark! Ever wondered what it’s like to ride under the stars? Join this Intro to Night Riding Workshop, a two-hour session designed for pre-intermediate riders looking to build confidence and skills for after-dark adventures! What You’ll Learn: Lighting 101 – Get the lowdown on the best bike lights, setup, and positioning…
Easter Pack Horse Adventure
A mountain of experiences with Bogong Horseback Adventures jammed into four days. Riding the best of the High Country, camping at the bushranger Bogong Jack’s hideout. Canter to the top of the Bluff where you can view Mount Feathertop and Mount Fainter at just over 6,000 feet. Ride onto Pretty Valley and the sweet pastures…
Mt Buffalo Dragon’s Foot Abseiling Adventure
Ready to step it up a notch? Get your friends together and go big on the 45-meter free-hanging Dragon’s Foot abseil. Definitely a level up from our family-friendly tour, this will get your heart going as you launch off the Dragon’s Foot 45-meter free-fall abseil. The adventure is not over once you hit the ground…
Rock Climb Mount Buffalo
Designed for the entry-level climber, those who have had some climbing experiences in the past or none. Fun for friends and family. Learn the figure 8 knot and how to belay!! This experience is provided by Adventure Guides Australia
Sunset Snowshoeing Experience
Embrace ‘golden hour’ with a scenic snowshoeing adventure (1.5 hours) into pristine alpine wilderness surprisingly close but worlds away from the Hotham village centre. No experience needed, minimal fitness required. Snowshoes hire included. Snowshoeing is a magical way to explore this winter alpine environment up close at a human pace – the only way really…