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
Bright Guided eMTB Ride of Clear Spot Lookout
This experience is catered for those riders looking for a scenic eMTB experience without having to pull out the map and spend time figuring out where to ride. Using our local trail knowledge, the guide will take you to Clear Spot Lookout which offers epic views of Mount Buffalo, Mount Porepunkah, Mount Bogong and Mount…
Half-Day Snowshoe Tour Cresta Valley (Snowshoes provided)
Enjoy the beauty of a snow-capped Mount Buffalo on a guided half-day snowshoe tour at Cresta Valley. Mount Buffalo Ski School tailor the length and difficulty of the tour to the group. Usually, they mix the route between marked and unmarked trails. This experience is provided by Mount Buffalo Ski School
Alpine Helicopters
Based at Jindabyne Airport in the Snowy Mountains. Scenic Helicopter flights. Flights are available all year round. Soar high above it all and see the untouched places of Kosciuszko National Park from the sky. Take a flight and land for lunch at an award-winning winery or brewery. See the mighty Hydro Electric Scheme. From spectacular…
Bogong in a Day
Guided by Falls Creek Guides Embark on an expertly guided ascent of Mt Bogong (1,986m), Victoria’s highest peak, with Falls Creek Guides. This challenging yet rewarding hike takes us via the Eskdale Spur, offering spectacular alpine views, high-country history, and insights from experienced local guides. With our knowledge of the terrain, safety-first approach, and seamless…
Beginners-Burstons Crevasse Dry Canyon Half-day (3-4hrs)
An adventure that can include an abseil, rock climbing, rock scrambling and more. The views which are seen while moving through the crevasse can be breathtaking, especially coming out from under boulders and rock shelters. This experience is provided by Adventure Guides Australia
Adventure Enduro
The Adventure Enduro is a one-day adventure fest with a host of exciting activities crammed together into one epic outing. This is the ultimate day of fun and challenge for both body and mind. Under the watchful eye of former Special Forces operators, you will push yourself through a series of adventure activities in a…
Hedonistic Hiking
Hedonistic Hiking is a small company operated by experienced guides Jackie and Mick Parsons. For over 15 years they have been offering all-inclusive luxury gourmet guided walking holidays in Victoria and Europe. In Australia the scheduled tours explore the Victorian High Country, the Grampians, the Goldfields Track and the Great Ocean Walk. The tour groups…
North Wall 300 Metre Abseiling Challenge
Are you up for a challenge? Want to test your mettle? This activity was listed at the top of ‘Wild’ Magazine’s bucket list adventures in Victoria for 2014. This is a serious adventure that is not for the feint hearted. A true challenge both mentally and physically, this 300 metre Multi Pitch Abseiling Challenge down…
Bright Adventure Company
Bright Adventure Company is an adventure tour operator based in Bright delivering tours throughout Victoria’s stunning High Country. With a focus on delivering safe, exciting and memorable experiences to all customers. Offering rock climbing, abseiling, cliff picnics, whitewater kayaking, hire and guided mountain bike tours to all levels of ability.