Bright and the Victorian Alps
Population - 1,800
Bright is situated on the Ovens River, in the foothills of the Victorian
Alps. It is 310km (193 miles) from Melbourne, 700km (435 miles) from Sydney,
940km (584 miles from Adelaide, 74km (46 miles) from Wangaratta, and 116km
(72 miles) from Albury.
Characteristics
Bright is truly a town for all seasons. In Summer, there is the river for
safe swimming and fishing, and horseriding and bush walking are very
popular. In Autumn, the European and Asian trees left by the pioneers
become a blaze of gold, orange, red and yellow, and the town celebrates
with the Autumn Festival. Winter brings snow to the mountains surrounding
Bright, and the skiers arrive in their thousands for the slopes in the
three close alpine resorts. And in Spring, the elms, poplars, wattles,
fruit trees, etc, create the brightest Bright of all.
How to Get There By Bus
Greyhound Pioneer travel to Albury-Wodonga from Sydney and Melbourne, and
connect with a local bus service to Bright.
By Rail
Regular train services run from Melbourne and Sydney to Wangaratta, and
then V-line buses to Bright.
By Road
From Melbourne, either via the Hume Highway to Wangaratta and then the
Ovens Highway, or via the Princes Highway to Bairnsdale and then the Omeo
Highway.
From Sydney, via the Hume Highway to Albury, then the Kiewa Valley Highway.
Tourist Information
The Bright Tourist Information Centre is at 119 Gavan Street, (03) 5755
2275 or 1800 500 117, email bright@dragnet.com.au. Two websites to visit
are www. brightdistrict.com.au (for
limited local information) and www.
alpinelink.com.au
Accommodation
Bright's main industry is tourism, so there is no shortage of accommodation.
Here we have a selection, with prices for a double room per night, which
should be used as a guide only. &The telephone area code is 03.
Barrass's John Bright Motor Inn, 10 Wood Street, 5755 1400. 20 units, swimming
pool, spa, bbq - $85-145.
High Country Inn, 13 Gavan Street, 5755 1244. 32 units, licensed restaurant,
swimming pool, spa, sauna, bbq - $89-112.
Acacia Motor Lodge, 85 Gavan Street, 5755 1441. 12 units, swimming pool,
bbq - $77-125.
Bright Avenue Motor Inn, 87 Delany Avenue, 5755 1911. 13 units, bbq - $77-130.
Ovens Valley Motor Inn, cnr Great Alpine Rd & Ashwood Avenue, 5755
2022. 24 units, licensed restaurant, swimming pool, spa, sauna, bbq - $75-95.
Bright Motor Inn, 1 Delany Avenue, 5750 1433. 26 units, licensed restaurant,
bbq - $60-75.
Riverbank Park Motel, 69 Gavan Street, 5755 1255. 24 units, unlicensed
restaurant, swimming pool - $88-100.
Bright Colonial Inn Motel, 54 Gavan Street, 5755 1197. 18 rooms (private
facilities), unlicensed restaurant, bbq - $77-88.
Caravan Parks
Alpine Cabins & Caravan Park, 1 Mountbatten Avenue, 5755 1064. (No
pets allowed) - powered sites $20-25 for two, cabins $57-115 for two.
Bright Caravan Park, Cherry Avenue, 5755 1141. (No dogs allowed Christmas,
January and Easter) - powered sites $17-25 for two, park cabins (en-suite)
$50-100 for two, park cabins (standard) $40 -56 for two.
Bright Riverside Holiday Park, 4 Toorak Avenue, 5755 1118. (No pets allowed)
- powered sites $17-26 for two, cabins $25-33 for two.
Green Hills Caravan Park, Great Alpine Rd, 5750 1218. (Pets allowed on
leash) - powered sites $16-22 for two, on-site vans $29-41 for two.
Eating Out
Many of the hotels and motels have dining rooms, and there are the usual
amount of takeaway outlets for a holiday town. Here are some you might
like to try:
Lawler's Hut, 100 Gavan St, Bright, 1800 813 992 - licensed,
high quality local produce - a la carte - hopen for breakfast and dinner.
Poplars, 8 Star Road, Bright, 5755 1655 - BYO and licensed, a la carte
and seafood - hopen daily from 6.30pm.
The Cosy Kangaroo, Gavan Street, 5750 1838 - good value family restaurant.
Ned's Rstaurant & Bar, 13-17 Gavan Street, 5755 1244 - licensed, country-style
dining - hopen Tue-Sat for dinner.
Golden Bright Chinese Restaurant, 108 Gavan Street, 5750 1155.
Simone's Restaurant, cnr Ovens Highway & Ashwood Avenue, 5755 2022.
Tin Dog Cafe & Pizzeria, 94 Gavan Street, 5755 1526.
Points of Interest
The pretty village of Bright sparkles against its backdrop of dark green-clad
hills, and is one of Australia's longest established holiday destinations,
having welcomed visitors for more than a century. Bright's first guide
book was published in 1887, and included maps of walking tracks and bridle
paths, specially marked and graded according to degree of difficulty.
These are still popular today, and current maps are available at the
Tourist Information centre. Some of the most popular walks are to the
Clearspot, Huggins and Mt Porepunkah lookouts, which offer a panoramic
view of the village.
The Historical Museum of Bright has been established in the town's disused
railway station. It is open 2-4pm Tue, Thu & Sun during school holidays
and festivals, and 2-4pm Sun from September to May.
The Bright Art Gallery & Cultural Centre, 28 Mountbatten Avenue, 5750
1660, has a comprehensive art collection and a gem and rare mineral collection,
as well as the largest cuckoo clock in Australia. It is open Mon-Sat 1-5pm,
Sun 9am-5.30pm, and daily during school holidays.
Gallery 90, 90 Gavan Street, 5755 1385, has original paintings, pottery,
leather, handpainted clothing, jewellery, handpainted porcelain, traditional
cottage crafts, and much more. The gallery is housed in a restored local
granite and bluestone cottage that dates back to 1881, and is open Mon-Sat
9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-5.30pm. During the Autumn Festival the hours are
extended to 9am-5.30pm daily.
Walks around Bright are marked by sign posts and yellow track markers fixed
to trees and posts. Maps and guides are available from the newsagent and
the Tourist Information Centre for walks further afield, and if venturing
up in the hills you should remember to take some warm clothing, as it will
be colder there than down in the valley. The climb to Mt Buffalo commences
at the Park entrance and climbs through 11km (7 miles) of varied scenery,
to arrive at the oval below the Mt Buffalo Chalet.
For the less energetic, there is a wide variety of tours, both half and
full day, to various attractions around Bright and the high country. For
further information and bookings, contact the Tourist Information Centre.
If you are in Bright in the winter, enquire about ski packages and snow
trips.
Festivals
The Bright Autumn Festival is held during the last week of April and the
first week of May each year, and one of the main features is Gala Day
with street processions and stalls. The entrants for Miss Autumn Festival
are received at the Presentation Ball and the judging and crowning takes
place.
Among the many events that are part of the Festival are: the opening of
the Autumn Art Exhibition; conducted tours of tobacco farms; gold panning
exhibitions; historic tours of Wandiligong and surrounding districts; tours
of the forests by the Forest Commission; a Family Picnic; an Old Time Music
Hall; and wine and cheese tastings
.
The Springtime in Bright Festival is held during October and November,
and co-ordinates a whole range of events and activities.
Outlying Attractions Porepunkah
The small town of Porepunkah is 6km (4 miles) from Bright, at the junction
of the Buckland and Ovens Rivers, and the turnoff to Mount Buffalo National
Park. Originally named Port Punka, the area was part of a cattle station
which reached from Eurobin to Bright. During the gold mining era, the township
site was known as The Ovens Crossing. It is a quiet, peaceful spot, and
has a hotel, post office, petrol station, general store, several riverside
caravan parks, and a growing number of flats and motels. The two rivers
provide excellent fishing for trout.
The Snow Country
The major ski centres are Falls Creek, Mt Buffalo and Mt Hotham. The website
www.ski.com.au gives the latest information about the weather and skiing
conditions at all the Victorian ski resorts. Ski packages and snow trips
to the three resorts can be arranged thorugh various outlets, and the
Tourist Centre can provide you with a list of operators and prices.
Mount Buffalo
The mountain is 32km (20 miles) from Bright, and 320km (199 miles) from
Melbourne. Accommodation on the slopes is available at Mount Buffalo
Chalet and Lodge, and inclusive packages are offered. Operating only
3 poma lifts and 2 chairlifts, Mt Buffalo is a small, sheltered ski field
that focuses on laid-back family enjoyment. It is comprised mainly of
gentle downhill slopes. Serious skiiers looking for a challenge should
head elsewhere, although cross-country ski trails are available here
in Mt Buffalo National Park.
Lift ticket prices are $39 adult, $25 child for one day; $180 adult, $120
child for 5 days; and $199 for a season pass.
Mount Buffalo Chalet, (03) 5755 1500, www.mtbuffalo chalet.com.au. You
can choose from the guesthouses, which have shared facilties, or the View
and Tower rooms, which are private. Prices include dinner, breakfast, activities,
guided walks, shuttle transfers daily, entry into the National Park, and
use of all Chalet facilities. They should be used as a guide only.
Guesthouse - 2 nights $260 adult, $140 child; 5 nights (including lunch)
$670 adult, $350 child.
View Room - 2 nights $370 adult, $160 child; 5 nights $865 (including lunch)
adult, $395 child.
Tower Room - 2 nights $395 adult, $160 child; 5 nights (including lunch)
$920 adult, $395 child.
The nearby Mount Buffalo Lodge offers motel and lodge-style accommodation
with breakfast, use of facilities and National Park entry included, and
backpacker rooms with meals not included.
Motel - 2 nights $130 adult, $55 child; 3 nights $180 adult, $85 child.
Lodge - 2 nights $105 adult, $55 child; 3 nights $150 adult, $85 child.
Backpackers - 2 nights $40 adult, $35 child; 3 nights $65 adult, $50 child.
Ski hire is available and ski lessons can be booked.
Dingo Dell
Ski runs are 6km (4 miles) south of the Chalet, and are ideal for beginners
and family groups. There are two poma lifts and a portable beginners'
lift.
Amenities and services include the large car park within easy walking distance
of the slopes; ski instruction; Keown Lodge, a visitor centre which is
used as a day lodge and provides takeaway and eat-in meals, changing rooms,
toilets and first aid facilities.
Cresta Valley
Ski runs are 4km (2 miles) south of Dingo Dell, and are around the Mt Buffalo
Lodge & Alpine Resort, 5755 1988, at about 1525m (5003 ft) above
sea level. There are eight runs served by 5 lifts catering for beginner,
intermediate and advanced skiers. The degree of difficulty of a slope
can be identified by the coloured markers at the runs. Easiest runs are
marked by green circles and are served by the Gully Poma and Novice Poma.
More difficult runs are marked with blue squares and suit intermediate
skiers. The Valley and Cresta Chairlift runs are in this category. The
most difficult runs are marked by black diamonds and are reached by riding
the Cresta Poma.
The Cresta Day Visitor Centre houses the resort management office, ski
school, ticket office, National Park information area, medical centre and
a cafe offering takeaway.
Cross Country Trails are graded Beginner and Intermediate, with access
to Cresta Valley graded Intermediate to Advanced. Lift Tickets: Ticket
boxes have single ride, half-day and full day; Cresta Office has a season
pass (photo required); and The Chalet and Tatra Inn have 1-day, 2-day,
3-day, 5-day and 7-day packages.
Falls Creek www.fallscreek.com.au
Falls Creek is 62km (39 miles) from Bright, 32km (20 miles) from the township
of Mount Beauty, and 356km (221 miles) from Melbourne. There are many guest
houses to choose from, and several offer ski packages.
Falls Creek has snowmaking machines, and the system covers 10ha (25 acres).
It is installed on Towers Duplex, Panorama, Playground, Tom Thomb and at
the top of Eagle, Halley's Comet and Scott Chairlifts.
Following is a brief description of the ski runs -
Novice
Nursery Pomas/Dogpatch Pomas - in the bowl area, near the Ski School. Ideal
for beginners.
Saddle Linklift - an easy T-Bar for skiers of all standards. Also gives
access to the Ruined Castle area.
Headwater Poma, Playground Pomas, Tom Thumb - gentle and have easy access
via the Eagle Chair and Halley's Comet Quad Chair, returning via the Broadway
Hometrail and the Wombat's Ramble Home-trail.
Halley's Comet Quad Chairlift - a fast access lift from the carpark to
the slopes of Sun Valley. Novice skiers return via the Wombat's Ramble
Hometrail and intermediates return via the Last Hoot Hometrail. At the
top of Halley's Comet is the Cloud Nine Restaurant with bar, dining and
restroom facilities.
Intermediate
Gully Triple Chairlift - an access lift from the carpark to the bowl. Gully
slopes are not suitable for novices.
Village T-Bar - forming part of the sheltered bowl, these runs are ideal
for easy intermediate skiing.
Panorama Poma, Towers Duplex T-Bar, Lakeside Poma, Scott Quad
Chairlift, Ruined Castle Poma - these five lifts offer a variety of intermediate
skiing. The valley holds a good cover of dry snow on interesting gullies
and lightly wooded trails.
Eagle Triple Chairlift - a fast access lift from the bowl to the slopes
of Sun Valley. Return via the Broadway Hometrail.
Advanced
Big Dipper Duplex T-Bar - a good length run for intermediate skiers. However,
on the right-hand side is a large cornice with deep soft snow.
Summit T-Bar - known traditionally as the advanced skier's paradise, the
finest bumps run in Australia.
International Poma - a fast lift providing challenging skiing for advanced
skiers. Also provides access to the Bowl, the Summit, and the slopes of
Sun Valley.
Lift Tickets
A full range of lift tickets is available early in the morning at Bogong
Ski Centre, Kiewa Valley Highway, Mt Beauty, and at JD's Mountain Sports,
cnr Burke & Anderson Streets, Bright. They can also be purchased
in the Sun Valley area. Passport type photographs are required for Season
and 4, 5, 6 and 7 day lift, and lift and lesson packages. Instant photos
can be taken at Cumings, The Hub, Gebi's, Snowland and The Creek Photo
Service. 4, 5, 6 and 7 days lift, and lift and lesson tickets can be
purchased after 4pm on day prior to the first day of use.
Approximate prices are: Half day - $56 adult, $29 child; 1 day - $75 adult,
$39 child; 2 day - $144 adult, $74 child; 3 day - $212 adult, $108 child;
4 day - $273 adult, $140 child; 5 day - $328 adult, $171 child; 6 day -
$383 adult, $199 child; 7 day - $420 adult, $218 child.
Season tickets cost between $400 and $900, depending on the time of purchase
- the earlier the better.
A one day lift & lesson package costs $105 adult, $70 child. Ski hire
is available.
Accommodation
Below is a selection of what is available in the heart of Falls Creek.
All have outstanding views of the surrounding mountains.
Alpha Lodge, 5758 3488, from $23 for shared rooms and $41 for a single
room, per person.
Falls Creek Country Club, 5758 3391, from $135 for a double room.
Alpine View & Cumings Apartments, 5758 3461, from $420 for a 4-room
apartment.
Attunga Alpine Lodge & Apartments, 5758 3255, from $100 for a double
room, including breakfast.
Alpine Woodsmoke, 5754 1138, www.woodsmoke.com.au, apartments from $200
per night.
Mount Hotham www.mthotham.com.au
Mount Hotham is 55km (34 miles) from Bright, and 354km (220 miles) from
Melbourne. It is Australia's highest alpine village at 1750m (5741 ft),
and all accommodation is only minutes from the ski runs. The runs are classified
as 27% beginner, 36% intermediate and 37% advanced.
More information can be obtained from the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management
Board, Great Alpine Road, Mount Hotham, (03) 5759 3550, email mhar@ mthotham.com.au
There are over 40 marked and groomed runs on the slopes, and the ski school,
ticket sales, ski shops and ski hire are all in easy walking distance from
the car parks, and one short step from the slopes.
Above the Village
Summit - a high altitude slope of south-easterly aspect, and a reliable
beginners' area. Served by the Summit quad chairlift, and on the summit
is the Doppelmayr T-Bar.
Big D - at the southern end of Mt Hotham village, with reliable snow and
gentle beginners' slopes.
Below the Village
Sun Run - opposite the Summit, the Sun Run is for skiers progressing to
intermediate. Served by a T-Bar lift.
Basin - a sheltered bowl opposite the main day car-park offering skiing
for beginners and intermediates. Served by a Doppelmayr platter lift.
Playground - several trails for intermediate and advanced skiers down to
Swindlers Creek.
Heavenly Valley
The Heavenly Valley quad chairlift provides access to vast areas of skiing
terrain for confident intermediates and advanced skiers.
Blue Ribbon - served by a Doppelmayr triple chairlift, offers sustained
and sheltered fall line skiing for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Mt Hotham Village offers a range of shops and services including ski
hire, ski shop, licensed restaurants (Italian, international and modern
Australian), pizzeria, a supermarket, bistro, post office, nightclub
and information desk.
Lift Tickets
Lift passes are available from the Mount Hotham Skiing Company, 5759 4444,
which has an office on the mountain.
The following are prices for lifts only. Half day - $56 adult, $29 child;
1 day - $75 adult, $39 child; 2 day - $144 adult, $74 child; 3 day - $212
adult, $108 child; 5 day - $328 adult, $171 child; 7 day - $420 adult,
$218 child; Season - from $870 adult, $440 child.
Myrtleford
Situated 29km (18 miles) north-west of Bright on the Ovens Highway, Myrtleford
is at the foot of Mount Buffalo. The district's main industries are timber,
hops, tobacco and cattle.
The town has 3 hotels, 2 motels, a caravan park, 2 camping reserves, bunkhouse
and lodge accommodation. There are facilities for swimming, tennis, golf,
bowls, bocce, croquet, fishing (trout and redfin), horse riding, hang gliding,
bush-walking, and of course, skiing.
