DAY ONE
8.00am — Breakfast
Take your furry friend to a dog friendly café in Bright, such as Ginger Baker and Wild Thyme, or the Rail Trail Café in Porepunkah.
9.30am — Walkies
Doggo needs a morning walk, so head to Wandiligong for a stroll on The Diggings – a 4km loop around an old goldfield – or along a section of Wandi Walk; an 11km shared path that runs alongside the tranquil Morses Creek. If it’s market day in Bright, stop by to pick up some home-made dog treats.
12.00pm — Lunching in the Garden
Your dog will enjoy the beautiful garden at 5 Acres Bar & Kitchen in Wandi as much as you!
1.00pm — Swim or Snow Play
Cool off with a swim at the Tronoh Dredge Hole in Harrietville – once the largest gold dredge in the southern hemisphere – and enjoy the short bushwalk that loops around it. In winter, take a drive up over Australia's highest road to the dog-friendly alpine village of Dinner Plain for a romp in the snow.
3.30pm — Refresh
Stop for a drink on the deck of the Snowline Hotel in Harrietville.
6.00pm — Dinner at the Brewery
A visit to Bright isn’t complete without a stop at the brewery, which has a large beer garden for pup to stretch its paws in.
DAY TWO
8.30am — Breakfast
Let’s head over to the Kiewa Valley today via the breathtaking Tawonga Gap Lookout, then go for breakfast at Rocky Valley Cafe in the garden at the Rocky Valley Cafe Bikes & Snow Sports Store, or head to the community Rose Garden Cafe at the Neighbourhood Centre by the pondage for delicious coffee and cake.
9.30am — Morning Walk
Time to burn off some energy. Try the lovely Mount Beauty Gorge Walk or relax on the scenic shared path of the Kiewa River Trail, which runs along the west branch of the Kiewa River. You can go for a swim at either location.
12.00pm — Lunch
Stop at Crank Handle Brewery for lunch and a taste of the local brew. The brewery, located on the Kiewa Valley Highway in Tawonga South, also serves lunch and dinner Friday to Sunday.
1.30pm — Lakeside Stroll
It’s time to get back in the car and return to Bright, but before you do, take an hour for your dog to have a sniff along the Pondage Trail while you admire the views of Mount Bogong.
3.30pm — Vines with a View
Just outside of Bright in Porepunkah is the lovely Ringer Reef Winery, where you can spend the afternoon on the grass of the vineyard with a glass of cool-climate wine and watch the sunset over Mount Buffalo.
6.00pm — Woodfired Pizza
Take a drive to Myrtleford for some amazing Italian woodfired pizza on the covered deck at Bastoni Pizzeria.
MORE WEEKEND TRIP IDEAS
EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY
PET SITTING
Need a pet sitter or dog walker? Contact Kris Marr Pet Services for services in the Ovens Valley or LDs Home Pet Care for the Kiewa Valley. If you require boarding services for dogs and cats, get in touch with Bright Kennels.
DOG GROOMING
Pamper that pooch with a session at Love Little Paws Mobile Grooming in Bright or Brigitte's Pet Grooming in Myrtleford. Maybe your dog just needs a good bath? Try the carwash in Bright or Myrtleford.
OTHER EXPERIENCES YOU'LL LOVE
Don Mungo’s
Fun and delicious, Don Mungo’s serves up good times and good pizza. A trendy pizza and cocktail bar in the heart of Bright. They have live music every Friday afternoon from 6:00pm, and a dancefloor from 10:00pm to late on Saturdays. There is also a casual darts competition every Tuesday from 9:00pm.
Bright Make it, Bake it, Grow it Market
Bright Market is a showcase of local producers, arts and crafts from Bright and surrounds all in one location, on the banks of the beautiful Ovens River. Food producers include fresh fruit and vegetables, trout, wineries, jams and preservers, sweets, nuts, olive oils and much more. Browse a range of local craft, jewellery, kids clothes,…
Red Ramia Trading
Red Ramia Trading is an enormous globe-trotter’s emporium from fishing floats and hand painted tiles to larger than life gorillas. There is certainly more to see than the front entrance suggests. Take a trip through Japan, Morocco and India as you wander through a mixture of hand picked antiques, artisan crafted good and recycled items.…
Billy Button Cellar Door
The flower-lovers among you all will know that the Billy Button name belongs to the bouncy native yellow flowers that colour the mountain tops of the Alpine Valleys. In 2014, after honing her winemaking skills throughout Victoria, Winemaker Jo Marsh decided to launch her own regional label, Billy Button Wines. Now, together with her husband…
Harrietville Hotel Motel
Stay at the Harrietville Hotel Motel and enjoy their comfortable motel rooms and friendly pub atmosphere. With something for everyone, they have standard family rooms sleeping up to five guests as well as deluxe studios sleeping up to four guests. All their rooms consist of ensuite bathrooms, televisions, bar fridges, tea and coffee facilities and…
Dreamers
In a perfect rural mountain setting at the base of the Victorian Alps, Dreamers have created a unique blend of accommodation from cosy romantic chalets for couples to spacious Apartments for up to eight for guests to enjoy what the Alpine region has to offer. Dreamers uniquely designed accommodation overlook a private secluded trout lagoon…
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TOP 10
THINGS TO DO IN BRIGHT
The curated cheats list that gets you to the best swimming spots, cellar doors, lookouts, waterfalls and more...
