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
Nordic BC ski touring
Forge fresh tracks through pristine snow on a Nordic ski adventure discovering the diverse backcountry of Hotham and Dinner Plain. Glide amongst gnarled snowgums, over alpine ridges and across open plains while learning about the alpine surrounds from our expert guides. Our itineraries are fully customisable and may be adjusted to suit your ability. Various…
Cornering Masterclass
Unlock the secrets to confident and efficient cornering. Dial in your cornering skills, boost your confidence on the trails, and find your flow with our Cornering Masterclass. The Masterclass will be coached by PMBIA Level 2 instructor Ash Gray – an experienced mountain bike coach with a long riding, racing and coaching history. Whether you’re…
Traverse Hotham
Traverse Hotham specialises in the journey, immersion in nature, understanding the alpine environment and exploring at a human pace – discover trails less travelled and a whole other world out there! Learn to cross country ski and go free-range. No crowds, no lifts, no passes. XC skiing is your key to exploring at your own…
Abseiling – Mount Buffalo and Beechworth
Looking for a great family activity or wanting to conquer your fear of heights? Or maybe you have an adventurous soul and you are up for a challenge? Adventure Guides Australia have amazing abseiling activities for all experience levels. From ten metre abseils through to 300 metres, they have an activity to suit you. What…
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…
Bogong Horseback Adventures
Bogong Horseback Adventures has been running award-winning tours since 1986. With licensed access to the Alpine National Park and Mount Bogong, the riding landscape is truly spectacular. Based at our property Spring Spur, Bogong Horseback Adventures travel from rich mountain valleys to the vast Bogong High Plains and Victoria’s highest mountain, Mount Bogong. The award-winning…
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
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
Indigenous Art Sites
Interested in indigenous history? looking into the art work and listening to the stories around the art work and the area? Come along to the guided tours to learn more about the indigenous culture in the Beechworth and Mount Pilot area. This experience is provided by Adventure Guides Australia