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
Where there is a Grill, there is a way!
Where there is a Grill, There is a way! is a bespoke walking experience designed to enhance Dinner Plain’s green season offering. It encompasses an easy one hour guided walk with a gourmet lunch featuring local produce in a truly superb location: Precipice Plain. This unique product combines the homemade, locally sourced food from The…
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…
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,…
Mt Bogong Pack Horse Tour
Highest of High Country, featuring spectacular climbs and descents across the top of Victoria. Wild rivers, stunning views, secluded camps and diverse landscapes. The horses are a feature of this expedition, each of them our own bred and trained mountain horse, expertly matched to the rider. Each day the camp is packed up, loaded onto…
RideCraft MTB Skills Coaching
Based in the beautiful mountain bike Mecca of Bright, Victoria, with majestic Mystic Mountain Bike Park right on their doorstep, RideCraft MTB is a local family-owned and operated business, offering private and group mountain bike coaching and guided rides for riders of all levels. Their coaches are highly qualified under the globally-recognised Professional Mountain Bike…
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…
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…
All Terrain Cycles – Bright
Located in the heart of Bright, All Terrain Cycles is only minutes from the mountain bike trails, rail trail and mountain road climbs. This premium store offers bike hire, tours, skills coaching, retail sales, local riding knowledge and expert advice. Mountain bike skills clinics and tours operate year round, catering for beginner to advanced riders.…
Myrtleford White Water Kayaking
Viewing the picturesque scenery of the Ovens River from Myrtleford on top of a sit on top kayak. They supply experienced local guides for paddling down the Ovens river in the grade two rapids along with all the activity specific gear that is needed. This experience is provided by Adventure Guides Australia