Visitor Information Centres

Alpine (Bright) Visitor Information Centre
119 Gavan Street, Bright. Ph 18OO 111 885

Myrtleford Visitor Information Centre
A Post Office Complex, Great Alpine Road, Myrtleford. Ph O3 5755 O514

Mount Beauty Visitor Information Centre
31 Bogong High Plains Road, Mount Beauty Ph 18OO 111 885

Taxi

Bright Taxi Service (Bright, Porepunkah, Wandiligong) Ph 0408 589 370

Public Transport

• Train and Bus Services Between Bright and Melbourne


• Snowball Express: Myrtleford to Mt Hotham (snow season only) Via Bright, Harrietville


• Hotham Bus: Melbourne to Dinner Plain (snow season only) Via Southern Cross station, Melbourne Airport, Wangaratta station, Myrtleford, Bright, Harrietville, Mt Hotham


• Falls Bus: Melbourne to Falls Creek (snow season only) Via Southern Cross station, Melbourne Airport, Myrtleford, Bright


• V/Line Bus: Mount Beauty to Wangaratta Via Bright, Porepunkah, Myrtleford, Beechworth, Everton, Milawa, Oxley, Wangaratta, Wangaratta station


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Situated on the picturesque Ovens River in North Eastern Victoria, the former goldmining town of Bright is nestled in scenically beautiful country in the shadow of the Australian Alps. It is a centre for a variety of year-round outdoor activities, which include walking, fishing, bush camping, rock climbing, paragliding, abseiling, kayaking, cycling, horse riding, caving, four wheel driving, fossicking and prospecting.

In a clever stroke of foresight, Bright was been planted with European deciduous trees many years ago which shed their leaves in Autumn and turn the town into a red and gold-swaithed fairyland. The annual Autumn Festival, in conjunction with the Wandiligong Nut Festival and the Autumn Art Exhibition, is held every year and has become a major tourist attraction. The district around Bright produces mixed-farm produce, tobacco, apples and timber from native forests and pine plantations. It is excellent for trout fishing, walking and photography. The vineyards of the Oven Valley wine region produce excellent cool climate wines.

The King Valley boasts some of the highest altitude vineyards in the country, producing premium boutique wines including European and Mediterranean varieties, a reflection of the vibrant Italian community that is the heart and soul of the King Valley.

Bright is the northern gateway to Victoria's snow ski region. It has carved itself a niche as a great winter base for those who want to be in the area but don't want the expense of staying in an actual ski resort.

Bright is 314 km north east of Melbourne on the Great Alpine Road.

Bright Visitors Centre
119 Gavan Street, Bright, Victoria 3741
Ph: 18OO 111 885

• Travel Victoria Information


Goldmining at Bright, 1890



Brief History

Hamilton Hume and William Hovell explored the area in 1824, naming the Ovens River. The town was first known as Morse's Creek after F.H. Morse but in 1861 it was renamed in honour of the British orator and politician John Bright. The Post Office opened on 25 January 1860 as Morse's Creek and was renamed Bright in 1866.

During the Victorian gold rush there was a rush to the nearby Buckland River. As the gold deposits gradually diminished, Chinese miners arrived in the area to sift the abandoned claims. Tensions over Chinese success from Anglo-Irish miners caused the violent Buckland Riot in 1857, resulting in deaths of Chinese miners and the fleeing of 2,000 Chinese. The riot was eventually quelled by the Beechworth police under the command of Robert O'Hara Burke from 80 kilometres away.

The railway station has been preserved as a local history museum. Although trains no longer run from the township, the 95 km Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail allows cyclists to travel the same route that train passengers would have travelled via the townships of Myrtleford, Beechworth and Wangaratta.



Climate

Owing to its elevation, Bright has an oceanic climate under the Köppen climate classification scheme, with four distinct seasons. Summer is warm and usually dry, with mild to cool nights. Autumn is mild and dry. Winters and spring are damp. Snowfall and frost are common during the winter months. The highest recorded temperature in Bright was 40.7 °C on 8 February 1983 and the lowest recorded temperature was −7.8 °C on 30 June 1986.

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Bright Markets

The Bright Market is a Make it Bake it Grow it market held on the 3rd Saturday of every month. All stalls make, bake or grow their product themselves and are reside within 100km of Bright.
Location: Howitt Park, Riverside Avenue, Bright, Vic.

Bright Splash Park

People have been swimming in the Ovens River at Bright since the gold miners left the area a good while ago. Popular spot on a hot day, and with good reason – such clear water. The Rotary Waterslide at Bright Splash Park is a popular attraction. Over the summer holidays, it is open from 1pm-6pm. A small fee to ride the slide applies.



A massive bucket of water that provides cool relief on hot days gives Bright Splash Park its name. The river swimming pool has a diving board and an old school metal slide. Life guards are on duty at certain times over summer to everyone safe.
Location: Gaven Street, Bright, Vic.

Bright Museum

The Bright and District Historical Society has assembled an interesting display of historical memorabilia in it museum, which is housed in the heritage listed old Bright Railway Station. The museum has rolling stock typical of that used on the old Ovens Valley Railway. It covers railway history, gold mining history and also the social history of the area, with local family histories and a photographic collection. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm – 4pm, September to mid June. The museum will also open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 2pm-4pm during the Autumn and Spring Festivals and Victorian School Holidays. Entry fees apply.
Location: 2 Railway Avenue, Bright, Vic.

Bright Arboretum

Bright Arboretum is a picturesque, quiet park located beside the Ovens River. It is also located adjacent to the Cherry Walk Nature Walk, making it easy to reach from Bright and a perfect spot for somewhere to stop along the way. It has plance of space for walking a dog, taking a walk, or for a family picnic.
Location: Mountbatten Avenue, Bright, Vic.


Lyrebird

Flora and Fauna

The local area has a variety of plants and animals. Many wildflowers, large and small trees, undergrowth and ferns can be seen close to each other. Within 350 metres of the town centre, just a few minutes walk, platypus, fish, yabbies and amphibians can be seen in their natural environment. Overhead there are dragonflies, harmless native bees and many species of birds including willy wagtail, kookaburra, magpie and cockatoo which can often be heard in the area. Lyrebirds can be heard outside of town and wombats and the occasional echidna can be seen. Several species of mostly small reptile such as lizards live in the area and goannas or snakes can be found on one of the many nearby wooded bushwalking tracks.


View from Apex Lookout

Lookouts

To fully appreciate Bright, several lookouts located within the surrounding mountains provide good views over the town and adjacent forests. The most accessible lookout is Huggins Lookout, accessed via Bakers Gully Road, around 5 kilometres from the town centre. Clear Spot Lookout, 12 kilometres out of town, provides limited views over the surrounding forests. Perhaps the best views over the town itself can be appreciated from the southerly oriented Apex Lookout, accessed via the Mount Porepunkah Road. There is a steep walking track up to the lookout from the main road, however you can drive right up to the lookout via a narrow dirt driveway, but a 4 wheel drive is recommended.

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Mount Buffalo is an all-seasons destination, boasting sheer cliffs, imposing granite tors, tumbling waterfalls, snow gums and stunning wildflowers. There is plenty of wildlife to see including Lyrebirds, Eastern Rosellas, Wombats and Swamp Wallabies. Many animals can be seen along the main tourist road.

First reserved as a National Park in 1898, the 31,000 hectare park contains vegetation and fauna adapted to extremes of weather, as a result of its sub-alpine location. In the warmer months, Mt. Buffalo plays host to a wide range of outdoor activities. A network of walking tracks lead to delightful waterfalls, great lookouts and dramatic granite formations.

Mount Buffalo is a moderately tall mountain plateau (elevation 1723 metres at its highest point) on the west side of the Victoria Alpine region. The top of the mountain has striking granite boulders and rock formations. From the north, the mountain is quite remarkable, with the highest accessible point being a prominent peak called The Horn. A walking track leads to The Horn and visitors can enjoy a 360 degree view from the top.

During the Winter ski season there is 11 km of cross-country skiing terrain offering a network of groomed and marked trails catering for skiers of all ages and abilities, cross-country skiing lessons are available. There are three main groomed trails around Cresta Valley, the 1km, 4km and Horn Rd. The 6km loop is also a popular ungroomed trail. There is a further 20 km of remote, unmarked trails, and almost unlimited off-track back country ski touring.

In summer the unique alpine flora comes to life. A range of fauna, including wombats, wallabies, echidnas, lyrebirds and flame robins, returns to the plateau after spending the cold winter in the lower foothills. Lake Catani is a popular location where visitors enjoy swimming or canoeing. Walk or ski-in winter camping is available at Lake Catani campground or remote camping at Mount McLeod, bookings are essential and can be made online by visiting Park Stay.

Mount Buffalo is a mecca for climbers and abseilers offering some amazing views of the Victorian High Country. There are opportunities ranging from beginners to advanced. There are two main climbing areas on the plateau: the 300 metre-deep Buffalo gorge that cuts into the eastern side of the escarpment and the slabs found on top of the plateau. The two areas have two very distinct styles of climbing - steep, long cracks in the gorge and thin, bolt-protected slabs on the top.

• Website

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The Alpine National Park covers 646,000 hectares and is the State’s largest, with Mount Bogong, Mount Feathertop and the rolling high plains being the best known features. The Park offers excellent camping and hiking, as well as a range of other activities and highlights.

Extensive snowfields are the primary winter attraction; the absence of snow in the warmer months bring stunning wildflower displays and opportunities for bushwalks and four wheel driving. The Park’s High Plains are renowned for their summer wildflower displays.

The park is home to more than 1100 native plant species, 12 of which (including the Bogong daisy bush and silky daisy) are only found here. Among its fauna is the rare mountain pygmy-possum, the world’s only exclusively alpine marsupial, which stores food to last through the winter.

Mature alpine ash forests are common as you go up the mountains, and snow gums are the predominant eucalypts in the woodlands around the snowline. In higher exposed areas where conditions are too severe for trees to survive, the vegetation changes to heathlands, alpine herbfields and grasslands, mossbeds and snowpatch communities.

• Website

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The Great Alpine Road is Australia's highest year-round accessible sealed road, winding past lofty mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, vineyards and farms. The road passes through Australia's high country, which was the haunt of Australia's legendary cattlemen and bushrangers. Bright is on the Great Alpine Road and is a good starting point to explore the road in either direction.

The scenery along the way is varied, and takes in historic goldmining villages, mountain lakes and the sheer cliffs, wildflowers and some of Victoria's highest peaks within the Alpine National Park. The journey is best taken outside of the snow season (June to October) to avoid both inclement weather and snow skiers going to and from the resorts.



When approaching from Albury-Wodonga (above), take either the Kiewa Valley Highway at Wodonga and proceed to Mt. Beauty, or the Ovens Highway at Wangaratta, travelling to Bright, then on to Mt. Beauty. The latter road passes through the Ovens Valley wine region, the Milawa gourmet region, the historic goldmining towns of Chiltern, Yackandandah, Beechworth (Ned Kelly related gaol and courthouse), Myrtleford (hops and tobacco growing) and then Bright. Beyond Bright, the view from Towonga Gap over the township of Mt. Beauty is spectacular.



From Mt. Beauty, there is another choice of roads - one passes the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, Mt. Spion Kopje, Rocky Valley Reservoir and Falls Creek ski resort; the other road to the south takes in Harrietville, the Darga High Plains, Bogong National Park and the Mt. Hotham and Dinner Plain ski resorts. Both roads meet at Omeo, where Omeo Highway (Great Alpine Road) continues south to Bairnsdale.



From Bairnsdale, the shortest route to Melbourne is via Sale, Traralgon, Morwell, Moe, Warragul and Dandenong via Princes Highway (282 km/4 hours). The longer route is via South Gippsland Highway, which takes in Yarram, Foster (turn-off to Wilsons Promontory), Leongatha (turn-off to Wonthaggi and Phillip Island), Koo-we-rup, Cranbourne (turn-off to Mornington Peninsula) and Dandenong (365 km/5 hours).

• Driving the Great Alpine Road



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The ovens river spans 191 kilometres and the fishing can be quite varying throughout. There are shallow streams, running water and still deeper stretches making it an interesting river to fish. Trout cod have been stocked in this system near Wangaratta since 2016 and that slowly is providing some excellent fishing opportunities. As stocking programs continue so will the opportunities to catch trout cod. Some of the stretches in Bright and above provides some of Victoria’s best trout fishing. Clear, flowing water provides a terrific habitat for many brown and rainbow trout, blackfish, redfin, and tench.

Fishing:

Mountain Fresh Trout and Salmon Farm
Harrietville
Ph 03 5759 2558

Southern Fly Fishing Adventures
Bright


Ph 0408 221 161


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Bright is the premier cycling destination in Victoria. Road Cycling, Mountain Bikes (MTB) and Rail Trails, cycling in Bright has many options suited to families and recreational cyclists. Two renowned mountain bike parks, Mount Beauty's Big Hill Mountain Bike Park and Bright's Mystic MTB Park offer an excellent range of trails and single tracks to suit all levels of ability.

Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail

This popular cycling and hiking path, built on this disused railway corridor, wends its way over 106 kilometres of sealed off-road track from Bright to Wangaratta. The gradient of the Rail Trail is gentle, and suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. It passes through north-eastern Victoria and to the foothills of the alpine country, side trips take you to holiday villages such as Beechworth, and Glenrowan. Another popular aside is the Milawa gourmet loop. Former railway stations that have been turned into cafes are a feature of this pleasant biking and walkng trail.

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Pedal to Produce

Pedal to Produce is the perfect foodies holiday - cycling from a quaint village café, down a country road to taste award winning wines and onto a farm gate to pick up some fresh regional produce and meet the farmer who grew it. Pedal to Produce includes the renowned food and wine regions Rutherglen, Beechworth, Glenrowan, Milawa, King Valley, Mansfield, Myrtleford, Bright and the Kiewa Valley where you can visit cellar doors, local breweries or drop into a café for a coffee. If you’re hungry you can refuel at one of the many bakeries, restaurants and food producers along the way.

Through a combination of the Rail Trail, quiet country roads, farm gate producers, cellar doors and spectacular scenery this makes for a compelling experience.

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Mountain Biking

The MTB trail network at Bright offers a unique mix of riding opportunity for beginner through to expert. The trails are mostly hand-built and have been developed and improved over many years. The natural terrain, coupled with the ageing scars of a gold-mining industry and more recently plantation pine forest, gives the area a unique appeal. The area encompasses everything from flat fire-road to incredibly steep and technical climbs and descents, from novice to expert, you will find a track to challenge you.

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Bike Hire:

Bright Electric Bikes
2 Delaney Ave, Bright
Ph 03 5755 1309

Cyclepath Bright
74 Gaven St, Bright
Ph 03 5750 1442



Cycle Tours:

Bright Electric Bikes
2 Delaney Ave, Bright
Ph 03 5755 1309

Follow My Wheel Produce Tours
97a Delaney Ave, Bright
Ph 0422 175 345

Cyclepath Bright
74 Gaven St, Bright
Ph 03 5750 1442

Alpine Expeditions
Bright
Ph 0448 685 908

Bright MTB
30 Ireland St, Bright
Ph 0447 508 258

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Paragliding:

Active Flight Paragliding Centre
Mystic Flight Park, Morses Creek Rd, Wandiligong
Ph 0428 854 455

Alpine Paragliding
Morses Creek Rd, Bright
Ph 0428 352 048

Bright Flight Paragliding
Bright
Ph 0481 283 489

Ph 0428 854 455Ph

North Eastern Victoria Hang Gliding Club
Mystic Mountain near Bright

• Website






Kayaking/Paddleboarding:

Bright Adventure Company
Bright
Ph 03 5756 2486

Adventure Guides Australia
Ph 0419 280 614





Caving/Canyoning:

Bright Adventure Company
Bright
Ph 03 5756 2486



Underground River Caving:

Bright Adventure Company
Bright
Ph 03 5756 24864





Abseiling/Rock Climbing:

Bright Adventure Company
Bright
Ph 03 5756 24864

Absolute Outdoors
Mt Buffalo
Ph 1300 526 258

Adventure Guides Australia
Ph 0419 280 614

Snowy Mountains Climbing School
Ph 03 9720 9896

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Wherever you are in Victoria's High Country, you'll find walks nearby to suit your pace and timeframe. Walk up an appetite and you'll be ready to enjoy some of the incredible local food, wine and beer on offer throughout the region, or test yourself with a multi-day hike through the mountains.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & CAUTIONS

If you plan to walk in a mountainous or wilderness area, be aware that weather conditions can change rapidly in alpine areas. Snowfalls and blizzards can be experienced at any time of the year, so be prepared with:
• Wind and waterproof jackets
• Warm clothing – hat, gloves and strong footwear
• First aid kit for longer walks
• Energy food and enough water for the day
• Compass and relevant topographical map
Let someone know before you go and ensure you check road conditions before setting out. Many roads and tracks are closed seasonally during the colder, wetter months for environmental and safety reasons. Stay informed, monitor local conditions, stay out of any closed sections or parks including tracks and roads and travel using recommended routes. Check for any changes affecting the park you intend to visit by going directly to the Alpine National Park web page or contacting the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 131 963.

Bright Walks

Canyon walk (3.5km riverside loop walk)

A must-do walk if you're staying in the lovely town of Bright, easily accessible from the town. Follow the Ovens River traversing areas of scenic, historical and natural value. Popular in summer (watch the people on lilos floating by!) and in Autumn when Bright's deciduous trees are at their very best.

• Map and Track Notes






The Cherry Walk (5.2km riverside loop walk)

This walk begins from a similar spot to the Canyon walk but heads in the other direction (east) along the river to Cherry Bridge. Though longer, this walk is more accessible with very few steep sections and can be negotiated by those pushing a sturdy pram. The track is mostly packed earth and gravel and is mostly shaded.

• Map and Track Notes






Bakers Gully Reservoirs (0.5 or 1 km return)

Follow the walking track that leads from the information shelter then follow the signs to circle one or both reservoirs. The first reservoir was built in 1892 and the second in 1916 and provided a permanent supply of water to the township of Bright, the railway station and trains. No bushwalking experience required. Formed track with gentle hills and occasional steps. Clearly signposted.





Wandi Walk (11 km)

This track follows Morses Creek from its confluence with the Ovens River in Howitt Park, Bright through to Wandiligong. The track from Howitt Park follows Morses Creek south under the Great Alpine Road and through the Bright Holiday Park to Hawthorn Lane Bridge. From here the track passes Pioneer Park Recreation Reserve to Dougherty’s Bridge. After crossing Coronation Avenue the track continues on the eastern bank of Morses Creek before crossing at a swing bridge and finishing up at Alpine Park in Wandiligong.





Apex Lookout Walk (3 km return)

Park at Quinn’s Gap 1.5 km up Mt Porepunkah Road. Walk a short distance up the gravel vehicle track to the east until meeting the signposted Apex Lookout walking track. The steady climb offers views of Mount Feathertop (1922m), Mount Fainter (1833m) and Mount Bogong (1986m), the highest peak in Victoria.





Bennetts Trail (11 km return)

Start in the centre of Bright and head a short distance down Burke Street along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Turn east down Railway Avenue and then south onto Bakers Gully Road before the section photo east into Park Street, before the school. Walk or cycle along the widened footpath and trail to Alpine Park, Wandiligong. On the way you will pass by the historic Bright Cemetery, the Mystic Flight Park (and Morses Creek). No bushwalking experience required. Sealed track with gentle hills and no steps. Clearly signposted.



Mount Buffalo walks

The stunning Mount Buffalo National Park is a great place to base yourself with a huge number of walks to choose from to suit a range of fitness, abilities and tastes.





Lake Catani circuit walk (3.5km loop)

A surprisingly varied walk on the Mt Buffalo plateau, this 1-hour loop is especially beautiful in the warmer months with wildflowers, wildlife and kayak-spotting aplenty!

• Map and Track Notes






Chalwell Galleries walk, Mt Buffalo (2.5km return)

Beautiful scenery and rock scrambling adventures await those who undertake this brilliant short walk by Lake Catani.This walk is great for people with a sense of adventure, and many young children will enjoy the challenge - however it's not advisable for those with mobility challenges or who do not feel comfortable in small, tight places.

• Map and Track Notes






Rollasons Falls walk, Mt Buffalo (2.5km return)

A gorgeous walk down through a Eucalypt forest to the two-tiered Rollasons Falls and swim hole on beautiful Mount Buffalo.

• Map and Track Notes



Myrtleford walks

Myrtleford has some lovely walks to expore, from a meander along the river to a climb up Reform Hill to enjoy views down onto the township or the rocky face of Mount Buffalo. Myrtleford also has some great township walks of discovery including a historic walk that will take you back to times of settlement, war and industries.

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Myrtleford Mosaic Trail (5.3km)

Also known as the Ovens River loop walk. Thanks to two local artists this lovely walk along the Ovens River is home to 70 mosaics, hidden along it.

• Map and Track Notes





Reform Hill Monument Track (1.6 km return)

The return walk to the lookout begins at the J.A. Jones Memorial Reserve on the eastern edge of town adjacent to the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Nearby, Paul’s Gold Battery stands adjacent to several gold mining adits (tunnels) into Reform Hill. Ascend the Reform Hill Monument Track to the T-intersection then turn left to visit the Hume & Hovell Memorial. From here it is possible to take two different routes to the lookout, both approximately equal in distance. A large loop can be formed by combining all three tracks. No bushwalking experience required. Formed track with some obstacles, short steep hills and occasional steps.





Reform Hill Lookout Track (1.1 km return)

After leaving the Memorial, this walk takes you to the north above the Reform Mine entrance. Along this walk you will see the town’s old water storage basin (1934), which previously held water that was gravity-fed into town and has long since been replaced. The climb follows the drier northerly aspect of Reform Hill to the lookout. No bushwalking experience required. Formed track with some obstacles, short steep hills and occasional steps. Signposted.





Ovens River Trail (5.6 km return)

This scenic sealed loop can be started from within the Myrtleford township or be included as an addition to the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. The main portion of the loop runs from Rotary Park to Apex Park and follows the Ovens River closely as it passes through native bush and crosses the river twice. No bushwalking experience required. Sealed, flat track with no steps. Clearly signposted.



Mount Beauty walks

The picturesque Kiewa Valley is a great base for a number of different walks. From flat sealed trails, great for prams, wheel chairs or an easy stroll, through to the step, rough tracks that climb to the top of Victoria's highest mountain, Mount Bogong.





Pebble Beach river walk (4km return)

This easy, flat walk follows a sealed track along the eastern bank of the lovely Kiewa River. Beginning 100m north of the Visitor Centre the track becomes more shaded as you approach the 'beach' - a wide, inviting stretch of the river popular with swimmers during the warmer month. Pack river shoes as well as your swimwear if you want to cool off, as the rocks are slippery (and painful!) to walk on.

• Map and Track Notes






Survey Track / Pole Track (7km return)

The Survey Track is a shared walking and mountain bike track that commences opposite the Mount Beauty Golf Course Club House in Tawonga Crescent. Park at the top of Tawonga Crescent or at the Big Hill Mountain Bike Park, if doing the full loop that includes the Pole Track. The Survey Track is the original route to Bogong Village and provides views over the east branch of the Kiewa River as it winds upwards, to a hairpin turn on the Bogong High Plains Road called ‘Cranky Charlie’. No bushwalking experience required. Formed track with some obstacles, short steep hills and occasional steps. Signposted.

• Map and Track Notes






Mt Beauty Gorge Walk 3.9 km return)

Start the walk directly opposite the Visitor Information Centre along the road next to the switch yard, past the gate, and follow the track alongside the river until you come to the tail race head, then veer left. You may also begin the walks from the Big Hill Mountain Bike Park, off the Bogong High Plains Road on the right side, the section photo towards Falls Creek. During summer, when the rocks are dry in the river bed, it is possible to walk and wade upstream for 400m to an impressive canyon. It is not advisable to do this last section if the rocks are wet and slippery. The last section of the canyon is best attempted in the late afternoon when the sun shines on the water. No bushwalking experience required. Formed track with some obstacles, short steep hills and occasional steps. Signposted.

• Map and Track Notes



Walking Tours:

The Active Travel Company
12 Anderson St, Bright.
Ph 1800 331 582

Bright Adventure Company
Bright
Ph 03 5756 2486



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Bright is the gateway to Victoria's alpine region. Lower than alpine regions in other parts of the world, and lacking sheer escarpments and jagged peaks, Australia’s High Country is nonetheless majestic, especially in the cooler months when they are covered in snow. Alpine National Park contains 10 of the 11 highest mountains in the state and boasts beautiful alpine topography with mountain landscapes, wild rivers, snow gum forests and open grasslands known as high plains.

The Alpine region of Victoria is all about enjoying the great outdoors. During the snow season (June to October) the mountains are abuzz with skiiers. Outside of the snow season, outdoor activities include horseriding, camping, hiking, picnicking, sightseeing, driving, cycling, rock climbing. Even swimming – along with angling and boating on Lake Wartook – can be enjoyed in the summer months. Nature study is another popular activity with superb wildflowers, many birds, and kangaroos and koalas easily seen from many popular areas.

The Alpine region has ski resorts present (operational from June to October), though they are quite small by world standards and the terrain is gentle. Summer in the high country is a totally new experience for many. The snow melts, revealing a vast horizon of breath-catching beauty including rugged alpine ranges and deep, mist-hung valleys, fields of colourful spring flowers, glorious summer sunsets and relics from the days when the area was in the grip of a goldrush.

The skiing season officially opens on the Queens Birthday long weekend each June and closes in October. During those months, it is best to come to ski and not to sightsee as the roads are busy with skiers coming and going, and the riding and walking paths are generally obliterated by snowfalls. To visit the mountains in their non-snow season, plan a visit from October to May.

In the shoulder months, some snow does fall, making cross country driving less easier than in the summer months. In April and May, the many deciduous trees throughout the region leave towns like Bright basking in Autumn splendour as leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange and deep red. Autumn Festivals bring bring crowds from Melbourne on weekends. October and November can be quite busy too, as Spring Festivals are held in the mountain towns.

Numerous tour operators provide transport between Bright and the snowfields.

Ski Equipment Hire:

Bright Chalet, 113 Delaney Ave., Bright
Ph 03 5755 1833

Hoy's Ski Hire & Sales
Harrietville
Ph 0357 592 589

Happy Valley Hub
5023 Great Alpine Rd, Ovens
Ph 03 5751 1845

Mt Buffalo Ski School
Ph 0419 280 614

Ski Plus
243 Keiwa Valley Hwy, Mt Beauty
Ph 03 5754 4472

Guided Tours/Transfers

Alpine Expeditions
Ph 0448 685 908

Snowdog Transport
Bright
Ph 0491 723 650

Mt Buffalo Ski School
Ph 0448 685 908

High Country Tours
Bright
Ph 0421 648 151

Horse Riding

Bogong Horseback Adventures
52 Fredas Lane, Tawonga
Ph 03 5754 4849

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The mountains surrounding Bright create perfect lookouts, providing a great opportunity to take in the true beauty and amazing natural surrounds of the area. Just a short drive from town centre, some of the lookouts below are also accessible by walking.


View from Apex Lookout

Apex Lookout

Located up Mt Porepunkah Road, take the 1.5km walk from Quins Gap towards the lookout. You will be rewarded with views of Mount Feathertop (1922m), Mount Fainter (1833m) and Mount Bogong (1986m), the highest peak in Victoria.


Tawonga Gap Lookout

Tawonga Gap Lookout

The Tawonga Gap lookout is a must do and is located halfway along the Tawonga Gap Road, which adjoins the Kiewa and Ovens valleys. The lookout, at 750m high, is a popular picnic spot with ample room for tourist coaches and caravans. It overlooks the beautiful Kiewa Valley and the Kiewa River with majestic Mount Bogong, Victoria's highest peak at 1986m, in the distance. Across the valley is Mount Emu (1361m) which is used for hand gliders and para gliders look for the notch in the trees for the launch ramp).


Tower Hill Lookout

Tower Hill Lookout

Take the track from the Great Alpine Road, approximately two kilometres from Bright centre on the Porepunkah side. There are great views to the north and east, and across to Mount Bogong (1986m).


Huggins Lookout

Huggins Lookout

Huggins Lookout is very accessible with access for cars via Bakers Gully Road or Mystic Avenue or walking from either McFadyens Lane (off Bakers Gully Road) or from the corner of Deacon Avenue and Zivan Court. From the lookout you will gain a stunning viewpoint of Bright, along the Ovens Valley towards Porepunkah.


View from Mystic Mountain Lookout

Mystic Mountain Lookout

Mystic Mountain lookout is a popular paragliding launch site. This drive takes you through the pine plantation and native forest south of Bright. As well as watching paragliders taking off you also get fantastic views of Bright. Mystic Mountain is also a mountain biker's paradise. From beginner trails to double-black diamond downhills, hand-built singletrack to machine crafted flow; it has over 50 kilometres of trail dropping from 800 metres, and is one of the most diverse MTB parks in the country.​


View from Clear Spot Lookout

Clear Spot Lookout

Distance is 33km return. Clear Spot (600m high) is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the picturesque town of Bright. It has a sweeping view in one direction of Porepunkah village, the opposite direction offers a view towards Harrietville and Wandiligong. Directly beneath the lookout is the town’s railway museum. The town’s first reef goldmine, the Pioneer, sits 100 metres below the lookout, on an adjoining hill. Pine plantations and excellent views of Mt Buffalo and Feathertop can be seen from Clear Spot. There is also a directional cairn to help you identify surrounding mountains.

Mt Beauty Region

Big Hill Lookout

Big Hill is the high hill behind Mount Beauty. You will get the most wonderful views of the Kiewa Valley and Mount Beauty. A great chance to take some spectacular photos. Big Hill Lookout is about 8 km from the turn-off at Cranky Charlie's corner on the High Plains Road. Big Hill Mountain Bike Park has over 40 kilometres of top quality cross-country and downhill trails suitable for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders.

Dederang Gap Lookout

The picnic and rest stop near Dederang Gap on the Kiewa Valley highway provides scenic views up the Kiewa Valley to Mount Bogong, Mount Feathertop and the Bogong High Plains. Dairy and cattle farms provide the valley views while the forested ranges frame the valley on each side.


Mount Bogong Lookout - Tawonga

Mount Bogong Lookout - Tawonga

Situated on the Kiewa Valley highway between Tawonga and Mount Beauty. The Mount Bogong lookout has uninterrupted views up Mountain Creek, The Kiewa Valley and up to the summit of Mount Bogong.


View from Sullivans Lookout

Sullivans Lookout

Located in the Kiewa Valley on the Bright-Tawonga Rd, Sullivans lookout has breathtaking views of Mt Bogong, Mt Beauty and its regulating pondage. It's an opportunity to take spectacular photos.

Alpine National Park

View from Ropers Lookout

Ropers Lookout

This 5 km, 1.5hours return walk starts at the Roper Lookout sign at the eastern end of the Rocky Valley dam wall. Follow the aqueduct for 1.5 km before climbing a small gully among Snow Gums. Roper Lookout is a small basalt knoll with excellent views of Falls Creek Resort and the surrounding high country. Return along the same route.


Mount McKay Lookout

Mount McKay Lookout

At 1840 metres, Mt McKay is the highest publicly driveable point in Australia. It offers the best views over the Bogong High Plains and the Kiewa Valley. From Falls Creek Alpine Resort take the gravel Pretty Valley Road and drive the track to the summit of Mt McKay with its fire lookout and communication towers. From here you will also get a good view of the Rocky Valley and Pretty Valley storage facilities that commence the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The eastern side of Mount Feathertop is visible beyond the Yaithmathang Range, and Mount Bogong is prominent in the distance.

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The hot summer days and cool nights around the four valleys created by the Ovens, Buffalo, Buckland and Kiewa rivers are key factors in the production of the distinctive wines of the Alpine Valleys Wine Region. The unique sub-alpine conditions produce wines of great elegance, with intense fruit characters and high natural acidity.

The multitude of microclimates in the Alpine Valleys have allowed 33 different grape varieties ranging from traditional chardonnay and shiraz through to less common grapes such as sauvignon vert and nebbiolo to be successfully grown on its hillsides and valleys.

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Distance from Bright: 22 km
A former gold mining town, the mountain village of Harrietville today provides some accommodation for skiers visiting nearby Mount Hotham. Tucked in at the foot of the surrounding slopes of the Ovens Valley, Harrietville is protected from the extremes of summer and winter weather. It is the ideal step-off point for mountain bike riding, bush walking and high country hiking, 4X4 driving, cross country or alpine skiing, and stream fishing.

Recommended

Hoys Ski Hire and Sales
Mountain Fresh Trout and Salmom Farm (Fishing)
Tronon Gallery (Opals, paintings, sculptures)
Granny's Pantry & Secret Garden
Lavender Hue Farm (Lavender products)

See and Do

The town hosts a bush market in January and on Easter Sunday. Also in January are a European classical music competition, and alawn mower grand prix. In June the annual Harry T Ville and the Boys Blues Band concert is held at the old Chinese Hotel. In November, the town hosts an annual Bluegrass convention, attracting some hundreds of performers and aficionados.

The town began as a goldmining settlement during the Victorian Gold Rush, the Post Office opening on 5 July 1865. Alluvial gold was mined initially. Many of the early miners were Chinese. Later, the mining shifted to deep reefs accessed via shafts. A large dredge, known as the Tronoh Monster, also worked extracting alluvial gold from the Ovens River flats. The dredge extracted gravel and created the hole it floated in, dumping the tailings behind it. It made slow progress along the river flats, eventually stopping when rock reefs were contacted at the base of the surrounding mountains. Three large and deep lakes remain near Harrietville where dredging operations ceased.

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Distance from Bright: 18 km
Eurobin, close to the township of Bright, is a lovely little hamlet. Eurobin is known for its roses, berries, walnuts and chestnuts (March and April) with seasonal farm gate sales.

Recommended

Buffalo Berry Farm & Cafe
Tantanka: Garden (Café, Nursery, Events)
Red Stag Deer and Emu Farm (Mini Golf)

See and Do

A trip to Eurobin is a must for those on a family holiday to the region. Eurobin is the home to the Red Stag Deer and Emu Complex, featuring majestic deer, ostrich, emus and goats. You can feed the animals, or enjoy a meal or scrumptious Devonshire tea all whilst soaking in the incredible views of Mount Buffalo National Park towering above you.

The Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail, a popular cycling and hiking path built on this disused railway corridor, passes through Eurobin. Wending its way over 106 kilometres of sealed off-road track from Wangaratta to Bright, the gradient of the Rail Trail is gentle, and suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. It passes through north-eastern Victoria and to the foothills of the alpine country, side trips take you to holiday villages such as Beechworth, and Glenrowan. Another popular aside is the Milawa gourmet loop. Stations that have been turned into cafes are a feature of this pleasant biking and walkng trail.

There are a number of picturesque waterfalls in the vicinity of Eurobin, most of which can be accessed via the Eurobin Falls Track (1.5 km, 45 minutes return). The track departs from the Eurobin Falls picnic area and climbs past the pretty Ladies Bath Falls and onto Lower Eurobin Falls. A steeper track continues up to the base of the Upper Falls. The falls are nestled amongst mountains such as The Monolith (1398m), Mount McLeod (1508m), Le Souef Peak(1607m), The Hump (1651m), White Hill(1514m) and Anderson Peak (1477m).

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Distance from Bright: 61 km
Beechworth is one of the best preserved of Victoria's old goldmining settlements, with wide streets lined with well-restored buildings, it very much fits the image portrayed the Hollywood westerns of the frontier towns of America's old west. So valuable is Beechworth to the country's heritage, the National Trust has declared it a 'notable town' - one of only two towns in Victoria to be awarded such a distinction.

Recommended

Asylum Ghost Tours
Adventure Guides Australia
Mayday Escape Rooms
The Big House Cooking School
Beechworth Gold Historic Museum
Billsons Brewery & Museum
Murray Breweries
The Beechworth Sweet Company
Old Beechworth Gaol (Tours and Cafe)

See and Do

Beechworth thrives on the proceeds of tourism and visitors throng the town's many historic monuments and shops on summer weekends. Its bakery is one of the most famous in Australia and people travel vast distances to savour its delicacies. The old stables, now The Carriage Museum, near Tanswell's Commercial Hotel, licensed since 1853 and classified by The National Trust, were built in 1859 and now contain a collection of old coaches, horse-drawn vehicles and saddlery.

The Powder Magazine on Gorge Road was built from locally quarried granite in 1859 to store explosives used by miners on the goldfields. Once in ruins and a resting place for tramps who called it the 'Menzies of the north-east', the building is now restored.

The town has numerous associations with bushrangers who roamed the mountains and plains of North Eastern Victoria in the goldrush days. The first person to be executed in the Beechworth Gaol was the bushranger Patrick Sheehan, in 1865 for a murder committed at Yackandandah. A saddle that is supposed to have belonged to the bushranger 'Mad' Dan Morgan is part of the collection on display at the Carriage Museum.

Ned Kelly appeared before the Beechworth Court after his capture at Glenrowan. Harry Power made seven appearances there. Ned and Power both spent time in the holding cells behind the old Beechworth Court House and Telegraph Office, though at separate times. It was with Power that Kelly became involved in bushranging as a teenager. Both Ned Kelly and his mother spent time behind the walls of Beechworth gaol. Early records show that in 1870 Ned, aged 16, stood trial on a minor charge and served six months at Beechworth Gaol. In 1878 his mother, her son-in-law Skillon and another man were arrested and placed in gaol pending trial for the attempted murder of Constable Fitzpatrick. She was given three years' hard labour, considered by some to be extremely harsh.

Beechworth Gaol is further associated with Kelly as the place where twenty suspected Kelly sympathisers were held in 1879 in an attempt to limit support to the Kelly gang. The iron gates were installed at this time as it was feared that there might be an attempt to break the sympathisers out of the prison. Power was also imprisoned here.

Local lore indicates Ned often visited Beechworth prior to his capture, and was a regular at what is now Tanswell's Commercial Hotel. He fought a famous boxing bout with Isaiah 'Wild" Wright in the back of the hotel.

After the shootout at Glenrowan, Ned, wounded, was taken to Benalla, then to the Melbourne Gaol Hospital. In August 1880, he was returned to Beechworth for his preliminary trial for the murder of Constable Lonigan. Ned was held in a cell which is now part of the Burke Museum. Now one of Australia’s oldest museums, it was originally built as the Beechworth Athenaeum in 1857.

The Burke Museum has a Chinese Collection, reflecting the history of the Chinese mining community in Beechworth from their arrival in the aftermath of the Buckland Riots in 1857. Chinese miners left many ancestral marks on Beechworth's historic, geographic and cultural landscape. There was a permanent Chinese Camp, complete with Joss House, shops, etc., and of course, the fascinating Chinese Cemetery and Burning Towers. Many Australian goldfields have similar 'Chinese sections'.

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Distance from Bright: 6 km
Wandiligong is a heritage listed old gold mining town, 5 km from Bright by road or walking/cycling the rail trail. Wandiligong is home to The Wandi Pub and Wandiligong Nut Festival each autumn.

Recommended

Half Moon Creek (Wedding, Events)
Lyrebirds Lair (Art Gallery, Gifts)
Wandiligong Maze, Mini Golf and Cafe
Chestnut picking at Wandiful Produce (Chestnut Picking Season: March and April)
Wandiligong Autumn Craft & Produce Market
Wandiligong Nut Festival (around Anzac Day)

See and Do

Pretty Morses Creek winds through the town with the Rail Trail running parallel, offering the perfect way to travel in and out of Bright by bike or foot. The leafy river trail is ideal for families to spend quality time in a safe environment and explore the beautiful town. A community built playground is a favourite with families, and you can enjoy a BBQ by the river while the kids play.

Take a stroll on one of the many walks to uncover the local history, including the Chinese swing bridge. This celebrates the lives and times of Chinese miners in the area. In the 1860s Wandiligong teemed with gold miners and in its heyday its 2,000-strong population built schools, churches, shops, a public library and hotels. Many still stand and today the entire town and its landscape are National Trust-classified.

Wandiligong hosts many events throughout the year, the highlight of which is the Wandi Nut Festival, held in conjunction with the Bright Autumn Festival. Locally grown Autumn produce is on show in this one day family based festival.

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Distance from Bright: 35 km
Barwidgee is a small community on the Myrtleford - Yackandandah Road near Myrtleford. Barwidgee and Happy Valley Creeks are popular fishing spots; the most popular species caught here are Common carp and Bower's parrotfish. The nearby old log tobacco kiln takes you back to the 1950's when tobacco was dried in such kilns. It is a nostalgic look back for those who worked in the industry and to the 100's of migrants who worked the tobacco farms of the Ovens Valley.

Recommended

Kaceen Empire (Gardens, Statues, Gifts, Tobacco Museum)


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Distance from Bright: 30 km
Ovens is a small town located at the junction of the Ovens River and Happy Valley Creek. Ovens still boasts its landmark hotel of 1854, a great base for cyclist enthusiasts or for families traveling along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.

Recommended

Happy Valley Hub (Ski Hire, Sales)
Eaglerange Estate Winery
Pepo Farms (Pumpkin Seeds, Café)
Homestead Estate Olive Grove & Winery
Souter's Vineyard

See and Do

The area is part of the Alpine Valleys Wine region, and was formerly used for tobacco plantations. Ovens acts as a bypass to many of the snow fields along the C534 route and the Kiewa Valley Highway through the gorgeous Happy Valley to Mount Beauty and Falls Creek via Rosewhite. Return over the Tawonga Gap to Bright.

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Distance from Bright: 68 km
Milawa is a tiny village between Wangaratta and Beechworth that had become famous for its locally manufactured gourmet foods, including wines, mustards and cheese. Brown Brothers, the oldest winery in the district, has operated since 1889. John Francis Brown established the winery, which continues to be owned and operated by his descendants on the original property. Brown Brothers makes wine from a very wide range of grape varieties in a wide range of styles.

Recommended

Brown Brothers Winery
Milawa Cheese
Milawa Mustards
Hurdle Creek Still (Craft Gin)

See and Do

The Old Emu Inn (1861), now Milawa Mustards, once served goldminers en route to the Ovens Valley. Bullock teams supplying the goldfields and Cobb & Co coaches which once used it as a stopover. The musical accomplishments of the licensee’s daughters made the inn something of an entertainment centre. The building later served as the Milawa police station. The old lock-up (brought from Beechworth by bullock team) is still on the property, as is a 19th-century barn made of handmade bricks from clay dug out in the cellar.

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Distance from Bright: 91 km
Once a stopping place on the road between Melbourne and Sydney, this small farming community was made famous when, on 27th June 1880, notorious bushranger Ned Kelly was taken captive after a siege and shootout with police. Glenrowan is today a popular rest point for those travelling on the Hume Freeway, where tourists can rest, walk and examine the famous Kelly siege sites which all have interpretive signage.


The Seige at Glenrowan - contemporary painting

Recommended

Ned Kelly's Last Stand
Baileys of Glenrowan (winery)

See and Do

Glenrown is home to a small number of excellent boutique wineries, of which Baileys is the most well known. The Baileys winemaking story began in the 1860s, when Richard Bailey and his young family arrived in Australia. They set up a store in Glenrowan alongside the famous Anne Jones Inn where the Kelly gang siege was to take place. In 1870, Richard and his son Varley proudly produced their first vintage. Prior to his capture whilst hiding out in the nearby Wombat Ranges, Ned Kelly did some contract work at the winery building fences. There is every possibility he helped build the original 1870s winery which still stands.



The remains of the Kelly homestead (above) can be found on Fifteen Mile Creek at nearby Greta. Ned Kelly lived here from the age of 12, when the family moved to Greta after his father died. The Kellys continued to live here after Ned was captured and hanged. Today the house site is privately owned by Kelly descendants and not open to the public. Dan Kelly and Steve Hart are buried in unmarked graves at the Greta cemetery, Ellen Kelly and Ned’s younger brother Jim are also buried here.

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Distance from Bright: 13 km
Smoko is located on the banks of the picturesque Ovens River, and has some fantastic fish habitat, mainly the popular local trout. The campsite here is suitable for tent, trailer and caravan based camping. There are picnic tables, a fireplace and pit toilet available at the campground. Smoko Campground is located only 8 kilometres from Harrietville with the access being on your right as you head from Harrietville towards Bright.

Recommended

Gunnadoo Berries

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Distance from Bright: 57 km
The small town of Stanley, approximately 9 kilometres from Beechworth is noted its apple and nut farms. The town was formerly known as Snake Gully and Nine Mile Creek. Many parts of this rural community have the remains of gold diggings from the Victorian gold rush of the mid-1800s.

Recommended

Jim Jam Foods & Café

See and Do

There remain only two of the original buildings in Stanley, they being the store and powder magazine at the rear and the old police lock-up on Collins Road. During the gold era, the Stanley region comprised a higher proportion of miners from Scotland, in comparison to other localities in the surrounding area (O'Brien). The gold mining carried out in the district involved (wet) sluicing operations. Like many goldfields in northeastern Victoria there was a Chinese presence at Stanley.


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Distance from Bright: 69 km
Nestled in the foothills of Stanley State Forest in Norther Eastern Victoria, Yackandandah is rich in history and natural resources (granite, gold, clay and sparkling spring water). The streetscape is largely unchanged from its heyday as a goldmining town. The whole town, including its avenues of oaks, elms and yews, have been classified by the National Trust. Gold was first discovered here in 1852 which led to a gold rush in what became known as the north-east goldfields. Yackandandah became widely known for its alluvial wet mining techniques. The area is now predominantly a dairy farming and forestry region.

Recommended

Vintage Rose Tea Room
Schmidt’s Strawberry Winery
Old Garage (Oldwares, Collectables)
Yack Station (Artist Hub, Gifts, Whisky Distillery)
Backwoods Distilling

See and Do

The Lions Town Walk starts at Isaacs Park just over the historic Stone Bridge and continues over Commissioners Creek. The path leads to the Miners Hut, a replica of an original miner’s home during the first gold rush. Mineral Lane takes you to the Molyneux Mineral Spring, where you can view the spring from a purpose built platform.



Guided tours of the Karr’s Reef underground gold mine (above) are recommended. The mine dates back to 1867. The tour departs from the Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre in High St where guests travel by 4WD bus into the mountains to the historic mine site. The mine still houses many original pieces of machinery and tools used during the goldmining era.

Yackandandah is on the North Eastern Victoria Food and Wine Trail. The region is the state’s premier area for wine-lovers and foodies. Nestled between the high country’s snowfields and the Murray River, this dramatic landscape of mountains, valleys, clean air and clean rivers, is the perfect backdrop for an inspirational food and wine experience. From the wineries of Rutherglen, Milawa, Glenrowan and the King Valley to the canned fruit outlets of Shepparton and all the specialist produce in between, the region is a gourmet lovers’ delight.



Nearby Allans Flat (above) is an enormous hole created by hydraulic gold dredging which has been converted into a lake and public reserve with grassed areas, picnic tables, chairs and wood barbecues. A cairn at the entrance to the reserve on the southern side of the lake commemorates the occasion in 1845 when David Reid became the first white person to take up land in the area. Goldmining occurred in the area from the 1850s to 1904. At one stage the local school had 200 children. Agriculture developed to feed the community and remained when the gold inevitably dwindled. Today Allans Flat is a locality rather than a village.

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Distance from Bright: 34 km
Myrtleford is a progressive agricultural town in the rich Upper Ovens River Valley, which produces tobacco, hops, timber, dairy produce, prime beef, walnuts and wine grapes.

Recommended

Billy Button (Wines, Cheeses, Deli)
Old Factory Brewing Co. (Brewery, BBQ Restaurant)
Myrtleford Gallery (Painting. Sculptures)

See and Do

Myrtleford Old School Museum boasts an extraordinarily diverse collection which includes a typical 1920s kitchen, a barber's tobacco shop and early gold mining equipment. Guarding the eastern entrance to town, the Phoenix Tree has been carved out of the trunk and roots of a red gum by sculptor Hans Knorr.

The King Valley boasts some of the highest altitude vineyards in the country, producing premium boutique wines including European and Mediterranean varieties, a reflection of the vibrant Italian community that is the heart and soul of the King Valley.

Porepunkah (24 km south east) is a pretty settlement at the junction of the Owens and Buckland Rivers. It is the nearest service town to Mt Buffalo and boasts a range of accommodation, riverside picnic areas and a winery.

Eurobin (16 km south east) is home to some of the region's best produce, including roses, berries, walnuts and chestnuts. This beautiful farming district offers impressive views of Mt Buffalo.



The Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail (above), a popular cycling and hiking path built on this disused railway corridor, passes through Myrtleford. Wending its way over 106 kilometres of sealed off-road track from Wangaratta to Bright, the gradient of the Rail Trail is gentle, and suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. It passes through north-eastern Victoria and to the foothills of the alpine country, side trips take you to holiday villages such as Beechworth, and Glenrowan. Another popular aside is the Milawa gourmet loop. Stations that have been turned into cafes are a feature of this pleasant biking and walkng trail.

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Distance from Bright: 29 km
Mt Beauty was created as a model township for the construction workers on the Bogong High Plains (Kiewa) hydo-electricity scheme in 1947. Today, Mount Beauty is now largely a holiday resort.The town is a launching point for trips to the ski resort, Falls Creek and the Bogong High Plains. To this end there are several ski hire shops, several eateries and a bus company doing daily trips to and from the end of the road at Falls Creek. This town also has great views to the mountains, such as Mount Bogong, and the many peaks of interest to those who pass through the town.

Recommended

Ski Plus (Hire & Retail)
Mt. Beauty Tourism Centre
Whipps Designs (Custom-made Firepits)
Wonderland Emporium

See and Do

Mount Beauty hosts the annual Bogong Festival in November to call people together and to perpetuate an ancient Aboriginal ritual. A hang gliding competition, the Bogong Cup, is held in January each year.

Mount Beauty Music Muster is a festival of music, dance and spoken word, held the last weekend in April every year. The festival prides itself in the variety and quality of the acts it attracts.

Mount Beauty Half Marathon is Australia's most scenic race with an emphasis on fun for the all the family. Held in May, it is the first part of the Great Alpine Challenge.

Bogong Estate lies in the morning shadow of Mt Bogong, near the village of Mt Beauty at the top end of the Kiewa River Valley. The wine they produce is a real cool climate pinot, with upfront rich strawberry and spicy tobacco flavours. The cellar door is open daily.



The country around Mount Beauty offers a number of drives and walks through the surrounding High Country. The walks range from short half-hour strolls to multi day treks. Mount Beauty is also a centre for mountain biking and horese riding. The Survey Track was the original track used by Surveyors and early construction workers on the Kiewa Hyrdo Scheme. The section from Cranky Charlie's corner down to the golf course is a great walking and mountain biking track - there are some excellent views along the way.



The lovely little holiday village of Bogong Alpine Village (14km south east) is just a short drive away and roughly half way between Mt Beauty and Falls Creek. Like Mount Beauty it has its own pondage for fishing and boating. It also has a number of beautiful picnic grounds and walks.



Falls Creek (30km south east) is one of Victoria's leading ski resorts. Built on land previously used only for summer cattle grazing in the natural alpine grasslands, the first ski lodge was built in 1948 by workers from the scheme. The first lift, a rope tow, was built in 1951 and the first chairlift in Australia was constructed there in 1957.

Falls Creek, with its higher altitude, is regarded as having better runs for proficient skiers than Mount Buffalo or Mount Buller and ranks with Mount Hotham as Victoria's best. It is also especially beginner/intermediate friendly, with almost 80% of the resort dedicated to these types of skiers/snowboarders.



Mt Bogong (above) is the largest peak in Victoria, its massive bulk looms over the township of Mt Beauty. Standing at 1,986 meters above sea level, this peak is a favorite amongst peak walkers, with many returning to climb this massive peak every year. The peak can be climbed in a fairly long day, however there are many safe areas to camp on the main summit ridge, and an overnight stay is highly recommended.

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Distance from Bright: 26 km
A small tmall town in a ery picturesque area, close to Mt. Beauty which offers more shopping and dining. Also within an hours drive to Falls Creek and about the same to Bright. Mt Bogong Lookout is one of two on the route over the mountain between Bright and Mount Beauty. Sullivan's Lookout affords excellent views of the valley, mountains and the town of Mt Beauty.

Recommended

Lilli Pilli Day Spa & Café
Sweetwater Brewing Company Crank Handle Brewery Rocky Valley Bikes and Snow Sports Bogong Ski Centre


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