All the best things to do in Bright – weekend itinerary

For many, a visit to Bright inspires a feeling of calm. Its tree-lined streets and easy nature make anyone instantly feel relaxed and at home in the iconic Aussie bush. There are many activities in Bright that will encourage you to revisit the amazing regional Victorian town that many people visit to escape the hustle and bustle of larger towns. But what are the best things to do in Bright?

Activities in Bright can be dependent on the weather. It is the gateway for some to the Mount Hotham ski resorts and a great place to base yourself in winter if you are unable to get a chalet on the mountain.

Summer in Bright will see you enjoying all of the best outdoor and nature-based activities Bright has to offer. There are just so many things to do in Bright and surrounds.

Where is Bright in Victoria?

Bright on the Great Alpine Road in the northeast of Victoria is a popular destination for many looking to explore new areas of the state. Those looking to explore Victoria in this region will find artisan food makers, local wineries, breweries, hiking and biking opportunities and more. We suggest arriving in Bright on a Friday afternoon or night, so you can hit the ground running on Saturday morning.

Things to do in Bright

While we have focused this post on a Bright weekend there are so many things to do in Bright that you can put some of these off to a future visit to Bright.

Bright and surrounds on Saturday

There is just so much to see in Bright and the surrounding area. While we have put together this post on things to do in Bright, some will take you a little out of the town centre, and remember, it is only a guide to Bright. You can change it up as much as you like when you visit Bright!

What to do around Bright – Mt Buffalo National Park

Mount Buffalo. The first stop on your bright weekend itinerary is Mount Buffalo. At Mount Buffalo lies the historic Mt Buffalo Chalet. Although not currently open to the public, it is well worth looking at it. On the opposite side of the road, you will find a number of lookouts with stunning views of the area walking trails to the nearby Lake Catani with its stunning alpine region vegetation.

Top tip for visiting Mount Buffalo:

On the drive up to Mt Buffalo, you can stop at a couple of small waterfalls along the road. There is roadside parking at them but you still need to be careful with cars passing.

Bright Sightseeing – Lake Catani

Lake Catani is a man-made lake constructed in 1910. Today, the lake is famous for spots of fishing, canoeing and swimming in the warmer months. Around Lake Catani, you will find fire pits with BBQ hot plates you can use as well as some picnic tables with incredible views of Lake Catani.

If you do plan on using one of the fire pits, you will need to make sure there are no fire restrictions, and you must extinguish your fire completely with water. For up-to-date fire restrictions, visit the CFA

What to do around Bright – The Horn

Further on by car from the chalet is the Horn. At 1723 meters, it’s the highest area on the mountain for you to visit. There is a short walk from the car park to the nearby picnic area and onto the Horn.

Bright things to do – Visit Ringers Reef Winery

If you feel hungry and thirsty after that, we suggest heading to Ringers Reef Winery in Porepunkah.

Ringers Reef holds an enviable position on the side of a hill overlooking the mountains of Mount Buffalo National Park. You can order a tasting paddle of some of the most famous wines sold at the vineyard. The winery at Ringers Reef makes various wines, including Chardonnay, Moscato, and sparkling Merlot, just to name a few.

Order a sharing platter to go with the wine, and you are set. The sharing platter at Ringer Reef is probably the best platter we have had at any winery in Victoria. The platter included various cheeses, ham off the bone, salami, macadamia nuts, crispbread, sourdough, strawberries, and more. Sit back and relax with wine and enjoy the views. Ringers Reef is one of the best places in Bright to eat.

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Bright attractions, Saturday afternoon

Head back to Bright, where there are a few options available for the afternoon, including shopping, Art galleries and more food and drinks activities.

A family alternative is Bright Splash Park and River Pool with water cannons, fountains, and a swimming area in the river. It is a shady area on Ovens River behind the Bright Brewery in the centre of town, it can get very busy on warm summer days in Bright. If you are visiting Bright with kids, this is one of the best things to do in Bright.

Bright Art Gallery and Culture Centre

The Bright Art Gallery and Culture Centre is a not-for-profit organisation that showcases the work of local artists. They are committed to providing an accessible space for all people to experience art, culture, and creativity.

The gallery has been operating for 60 years and features different exhibitions annually. If you love art, this is one of the best things to do in Bright on a Saturday afternoon.

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Places to visit in Bright – The Bright Brewery

Speaking of Bright Brewery, this should be your next stop for dinner and drinks as the evening comes calling. The brewery at Bright is highly popular with visitors. The Bright Brewery makes a core range of beers, including Alpine Lager, Blowhard Pale Ale, Hellfire Amber Ale, M.I.A. IPA and Bright Sour. We suggest you grab a beer paddle and give some of the seasonal and core beers a try.

For the ladies who don’t like beer, they serve a choice of local wines from the area. They even run brewery tours for beer aficionados, where you will learn about the brewing process and get to try some along the way. The brewery serves a range of food, from sharing boards to pizzas, burgers, and salads, a little something to suit everyone who visits Bright. You can sit inside or enjoy a table outside in the sun.

What to do in Bright: Reed & Co. Distillery

Just around the corner from the brewery is the Reed & Co distillery. This Bright distillery makes a few different varieties of Gin, including Remedy Gin, Neo New World Dry Gin, Spirit Lab Gin Mure, Spirit Lab Gin & Juice, Dark Night Coffee Gin Liqueur and more.

Gin is the spirit of the moment, and this distillery will have you covered as far as small-batch Gin goes. The distillery doubles as a bar and restaurant, with cocktail nights and an ala-carte menu in its Koji Bird restaurant. If you are looking for one of the best places in Bright to eat and enjoy gin, this is the best place in Bright for you.

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Shopping in Bright

Shopping in Bright means a mix of stores selling staples like cookware and souvenirs, through to Boutique clothing stores and outdoor adventure shops. Those looking for clothes head to the Tartan Fox and About my sister, while the Bowerbird provides interior inspiration for your home. There’s nothing better than taking home a souvenir from your trip to Bright.

Bright old-fashioned lolly shop will leave sweet tooths happy and browse the shelves of the Bright book store. Small town shopping always throws up some surprises for those who take the time to go shopping in Bright. There’s nothing better than taking home a souvenir from your trip to Bright.

Bike riding in Bright on Sunday

Some bike rental stores in Bright hire traditional and electric bikes for your use. Bright is extremely popular with bike riders for both mountain biking and cruising. There are some popular bike trails, including the Bright to Wandiligong trail, which is an easy 11-kilometre return ride that follows Morse’s Creek.

Places to see in Bright – Nightingale Brother Cider and Apple Farm

At Wandiligong, you can stop by the Nightingale Brother Alpine Produce and Cider. This store sells unique fruit products such as sauces, ice creams, fruit juices, and ciders. There is a lovely grassed area next to the shop where you can stop and enjoy a drink and something to eat before continuing on your bike ride in Bright.

The Murray to Mountains rail trail runs for over 100 km and goes through Bright. You can ride towards Porpunkah or towards Harrietville. A ride on the trail showcases the scenic natural beauty of Victoria’s High Country. Bright in the Autumn months is especially beautiful with colourful fall leaves.

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Top things to do in Bright – Mystic Mountain Bike Park

For those riders looking for off-road biking, Mystic Mountain Bike Park was built in consultation with mountain bike riders, for riders. The Mystic Mountain Bike Park is a great place for mountain bikers to explore. The park has challenging paths and trails for all levels of riders, including beginner, intermediate and advanced.

At Mystic Mountain Bike Park, you can take on the challenge of riding through the massive network of paths and trails. There are many kinds of terrain to explore, so you will never get bored. If you love adventure this has to be top of the list of things to do in Bright.

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Sunday markets in Bright and surrounds

If you are looking for relaxing things to do in Bright, visit a Bright market! People love a good Sunday market, and there are a few to see when you visit Bright and the surrounding area.

• The Bright Sunday market is held on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9 am until 1 pm, located in Howitt Park by the Ovens River. Featuring local products, artworks, woodwork, homewares, skincare, fresh nuts, fruit and vegetables, freshly baked bread, olive oil & pasta, wine & ales, locally made cheeses, honey & jams, trout, and meats.
• The Myrtleford Farmers Market is on the 4th Sunday of every month from 8 am-12.30 pm at the Piazza. The best in-season fruits and vegetables from the region are on sale. While in Myrtleford, we recommend you grab a bite to eat at Tu Vietnamese Street Food restaurant.

Bright restaurants and places to eat in Bright

We recommend heading to the authentic restaurant Suganya’s Thai Restaurant. They have a wide variety of Thai dishes and beers on your menu. Bright Brewery is great for burgers, pizza, and beers, while the Koji Bird restaurant will give you that more upmarket feel.

Those looking for a snack can try the Famous Beechworth Bakery for pies, cakes, and coffee in town. Eating at a Bright restaurant is one of the best things to do in Bright.

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Bright accommodation

There are many options for your stay in Bright and around. Some caravan parks in Bright offer sites and cabins for your stay, including Big 4 Bright in the centre of town and Discovery Parks just out of town. You will find hotels, apartments, and chalets all suited to the levels of accommodation in Bright you desire.

How to get to Bright Victoria

Bright is a great holiday destination in Victoria and is easy to get to from Melbourne. From Melbourne, head north on the Hume Highway, turn off just past Glenrowan onto Milawa/Taminick on the C522 road. Follow this till it joins the Great Alpine Road. Travel through Myrtleford and onto Bright.

Take the Great Alpine Road from Bairnsdale through Swifts Creek, Omeo, Mt Hotham and onto Bright from the east of the state.

When is the best time to visit Bright?

Being in The Victorian High Country, a trip to Bright in any season will be wonderful. Below, we have covered Bright in summer and Bright in winter.

Bright in winter

You will find so many things to do in Bright in winter. It is the gateway to the Victorian snowfields, and many people stay here if they cannot get accommodation at a Mt Hotham chalet.

Bright in summer

For things to do in Bright in summer, you will find plenty of activities in Bright and surroundings. From markets, swap meets, car club meetups and hiking group trips, you will find an activity in Bright for you. If you don’t want to join a group or go alone, you will also find plenty of weekends in Bright with none of these, too.

There are so many amazing things to do in Bright surroundings that will have you returning to this fantastic holiday destination in Victoria year-round.

We hope this article from us here at Explore Victoria has inspired you to embark on your adventure in Victoria, Australia, from popular caravan parks and pristine beaches to drives along the Great Ocean Road. Enjoy weekends away on the Mornington Peninsula and discover the cosmopolitan charm of Melbourne, Victoria, with a range of experiences for every traveller who wants to visit Victoria.

Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of the Grampians, the cultural richness of Ballarat, or the autumn colours of Bright and Northern Victoria, there’s no shortage of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Victoria.

Even if you love exploring Gippsland or driving the Great Alpine Road, Victoria has something special for you, and there is so much more for you to discover. If you are looking for more incredible and best places to visit in Melbourne or more travel in Victoria destinations, Explore Victoria has some more articles below for you to check out. Expand your horizons and get out and about in Victoria, Australia, for an unforgettable experience. 

If you have an idea, attraction, or top spot in Victoria, please comment or email us at contact@explorevictoriaaustralia.com.

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