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 White Water Kayaking
Enjoy the scenery of Bright by paddling down the Ovens River. This white water adventure is a good introduction into white water kayaking, using sit-on-top kayaks or two seat inflatable kayaks to paddle down the grade one and two stretch. These adventures can be run from upper Bright and through to lower Bright or to…
Pioneering the High Plains – Bogong Horseback Adventures
Step back into another time with a celebration of Australian heritage. Ride the High Plains on a journey to the Mittagundi Bush Dance and Pioneer Festival before climbing onto Mount Bogong, Victoria’s highest mountain. Pioneering the High Plains expedition takes you on a journey, through diverse landscapes, along a route that highlights the vertical scale,…
Polar Paws Express
Come jump in a sled with a team of Howling Huskys for a thrilling ride through the snow-covered trails of Mount Hotham! Guided by one of our experienced mushers and powered by a team of roughly eight huskies, this adventure offers a true taste of sled dog life in the Victorian High Country. This tour…
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…
Villages Traverse Snowshoeing Expedition
An unforgettable experience walking on top of the snow, on top of the world snowshoeing from Hotham to Dinner Plain across diverse and beautiful backcountry. Includes morning tea, hearty gourmet lunch, return transport and snowshoes hire. The Villages Traverse will take you away from the crowds into the heart of Alpine National Park – meander…
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…
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…
Abseil Beechworth
Hanging around or simply passing through Beechworth and after an activity to do? Abseiling in the Beechworth Gorge is a great way to spend the morning or afternoon. Being close to town allows for easy access with minimal walking required to get to the abseil sites from the road. The access allows for either driving…
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…