Bright Holiday Accommodation

The closest airport to Bright is in Albany, about 90min away. Qantas, Regional Air, Rex, and Virgin Australia all offer daily direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Albany. The flight time from Sydney is about one and a half hours and the flight time from Melbourne is about an hour. At the airport, you can hire a car or catch a shuttle bus to your accommodation in Bright.

If you are traveling from Melbourne, you can take a bus that has a travel time of six and a half hours or a train and bus combo that will take about five and a half hours. You can hire a car in Melbourne and take the three and half hour drive up into the mountains to your holiday house in Bright. The drive from Sydney takes about seven hours and goes passes picturesque mountain scenery, if you have time for a road trip on your holiday.

Visit the old tobacco country and explore the renowned wineries of Gapsted, Michelini, Butter Factory, Porepunkah, Rosewhite and Eaglerange Estate. Discover the rich Italian heritage of Myrtleford and its age-old tradition of salami-making while you taste its cool climate wines. The region is also home to several award-winning breweries. Experience craft brewing techniques and taste the results on a brewery tour which is usually combined with fine dining and live music.

Treat yourself to a bean to bar experience of Australian craft chocolate at the famous Bright Chocolate company. Visit the local farmers market in the heart of Great Alpine Valley selling everything from fresh trout, meat, nuts, fruits and vegetables to pasta, gourmet olive oil and freshly baked breads. They are the perfect place to buy wine and beer or locally made cheese. Shop for these fresh local ingredients to create some wonderful delicacies back in the kitchen of your holiday accommodation.

The old-fashioned guesthouses and historic buildings make strolling through Bright like a walk back in history. Especially significant are an old timber house on 90 Gavan Street dating from 1850s, now housing Gallery 90, and A.J Lock’s shop, which was built in the 1860s. Take a tour of the 19th century Park Street courthouse, and don’t miss the log lock-up just beside it, which dates back to the 1870s.

The Anglican Church on Church Street was built in 1870 and is another precious heritage building in Bright. Other notable historic churches are the old Methodist building in Ireland Street which dates from 1884 and the Presbyterian church on Park Street which was built in 1880 and now houses the St Andrews Gallery.

The Wangaratta railway station house is now a museum and the building itself dates 1890. The station is worth a visit for its collection of historical artefacts and old town photos.

Take an excursion to Clearspot Lookout for a picnic under the pine trees in the charming countryside with panoramic views of the Victorian mountain range.

To the south of Bright lies Wandiligong, a historic village made more famous after being made into the theme of a song Eric Bogle. Once a gold mining and agricultural hub, Wandiligong has several heritage buildings, of which The Church of England and Manchester Unity are most notable. One of the largest apple orchards in the Southern hemisphere, Wandi Poplars, offers a spectacular sight during autumn.

Porepunkah, 6km north of Bright, is the gateway to Mt Buffalo National Park. Head to its airfield to board a scenic flight over the park. Wine lovers will enjoy touring Boyntons winery which was established in 1987. The cellar door remains open daylong for a wine tour of its high quality produce which includes Shiraz, Chardonnay, Riesling and Merlot. The adjoining picnic area and playground make it an ideal excursion spot for families.

Late April to early May is an ideal time to book holiday accommodation in Bright, as the town comes alive to celebrate the Autumn Festival. The ten-day festival celebrates the spectacular autumn colours of the foliage and the harvest. The Bright Art Gallery showcases works from all over the world. The Wandi Nut Festival is the only one of its kind in Australia and is an important part of this big festival. A gala weekend with a market, live music, entertaining shows and a grand parade is the highlight of the Autumn Festival.

Another good time to book accommodation in Bright is from late October to early November when the Alpine Spring Festival takes place. Public access to gardens, bike and walking trails, river and street markets, country fairs, food and wine events and fireworks on Melbourne Cup weekend makes Bright a paradise for holidaymakers especially at this time of the year.