Bright shines year round with spectacular scenery, outdoor adventure and a thriving food scene.
At any time of year, the quaint alpine town of Bright is a charmer. Set on the Ovens River in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, it’s exceptionally picturesque and has become a hub for outdoor adventures from biking and hiking to Snowsports (Mount Hotham and Falls Creek are an hour up the road and Mount Buffalo is just 30 minutes away). Foodies delight in the region’s abundant wineries and gourmet food, and there’s some cute boutique shopping too.
I’ve visited in all seasons, playing in streams and lakes in summer and cosying up fireside in winter, but the most spectacular time to visit is autumn. That’s when tree-lined streets and forests erupt in a blaze of yellow, gold, orange, red and russet as the autumn foliage spectacle unfolds. People travel miles to see it. So much so that a festival has been held here every year since 1962 to celebrate the season (this year the Bright Autumn Festival runs from 24 April to 3 May).
Getting to Bright is an easy 3.5-hour-drive from Melbourne, via the Hume Highway and scenic RV-friendly Great Alpine Road.
