HOW TO GET TO BRIGHT
Surrounded by the rugged mountain ranges of the Great Dividing Range, a trip to Bright will feel worlds away. But you won't need a SpaceX flight to get here. Here are a few ways to find us.
BY CAR
Bright is under an hour drive, or 75km, from Wangaratta along the Great Alpine Road, one of the most scenic drives in the country. The Great Alpine Road starts in Wangaratta and runs 300km to Bairnsdale, passing through the towns of Myrtleford, Bright, Harrietville, Dinner Plain and Omeo. You can approach Bright from either direction. The road reaches an elevation of 1,825 metres at The Cross at Mount Hotham, making it the highest sealed road in the country.
FROM MELBOURNE
The fastest way is to travel north-east along the M31 Hume Freeway and take the Snow Road east through Milawa to join the Great Alpine Road at Gapsted, following it south until you reach Bright. The average drive time from Melbourne along this route is 3.5 hours.
If approaching from Bairnsdale, pay close attention to the weather; the alpine peaks are covered in snow during winter and early spring, with snowfalls possible anytime of year. Snow chains must be carried during the snow season.
FROM SYDNEY
Leave Sydney via the M5 Mororway, joining the M31 Hume Motorway, which becomes the M31 Hume Highway past Berrima. Continue south, exiting at Wodonga on the B400 and turning south along the scenic Yackandanda-Wodonga Road.
Join the Great Alpine Road at Myrtleford and continue south to Bright.
The drive is roughly seven hours, although please allow more time for rest stops and meal breaks.
BY PUBLIC BUS
The public V/Line service runs daily buses between Bright and Wangaratta Railway Station, with most services quickly connecting with a train service to or from Melbourne. Wait times for services to and from Sydney may be longer. A public bus service during the school term runs from Myrtleford to Albury-Wodonga each morning and Albury-Wodonga to Myrtleford each afternoon.
The Alps Bus Link, operated by Dyson, runs three days a week and offers affordable services from Bright to Omeo via Harrietville, Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain. Please note: summer and winter timetables vary.
To find the right service for you, please use the Public Transport Victoria Journey Planner.
BY PRIVATE COACH
Alpine Spirit Coaches and Snowdog Transport run charter services all year throughout the region, including snow services in winter.
During winter, coach services operated by HothamBus and FallsBus run from Adelaide, Albury, Melbourne and Sydney to Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, including stops at Myrtleford, Bright and Harrietville.
BY PLANE
Albury Airport is a 1.5 hour drive from Bright and facilitates daily flights from commercial airliners Qantas and Regional Express (REX).
The airport is serviced by four vehicle hire companies – Avis, Budget, Thrifty and Hertz.
Taxis and transfer services are available, including transfers to Mount Hotham and Falls Creek during the ski season.
Please note: public buses do not stop at the airport.
BY PRIVATE FLIGHT
There are three small airfields in the region that cater to private planes, helicopters and charter flights.
These are:
Taxis are available to transport visitors to nearby townships. For Porepunkah, phone 0423 015 152 or for Mount Beauty, phone 0409 573 909.
WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU
WAYS TO GET AROUND THE SURROUNDS
Sure, you can drive your own car, but if you want to make the most of the award-winning wines, craft beer and gin that our region has to offer, or have someone drive you to the snow, you might prefer to take a taxi, bus or charter service. We've also got plenty of hire bikes for making the most of the shared paths throughout our region. Here are a few services to get you around Bright & Surrounds.
OTHER EXPERIENCES YOU'LL LOVE
Guided Ride of Mystic Park, Bright
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Kids’ School Holiday Junior Shuttle Squad
A full day of thrills and skills for junior shredders aged 9-14 years. Looking for an action-packed adventure to keep your kids entertained during the Easter school holidays? They’ve got you covered! The Junior Holiday Shuttle Squad is designed for junior shredders aged 9-14 years and includes a full day of MTB skills coaching and…
High Country Horsemanship Clinic
Horsemanship clinic in a spectacular classroom, beyond the yard and stable. Advance your horse and rider relationship in a working environment. Great horses, beautiful camps, brumby country, experienced leaders. This five day travelling clinic combines the rewards of a remote packhorse expedition with the the extra dimension of horsemanship skill building in a working environment.…
Daily Trail Rides
Bogong Horseback Adventures offer day rides in the heart of the High Country. Taking you to the mountain valleys of North East Victoria abound with colourful bird life, majestic views, lush pastures and a delightful climate. Experience horse riding the beautiful tracks of the Alpine National Park through tall mountain forests, fern gullies and river…
Women’s Six-Week Skills Series: Stepping It Up
Make time for yourself and prioritise your riding with their Six-Week ‘Stepping It Up’ Skills Course. Led by a qualified female instructor, this course is ideal for those who have had some skills coaching before, those who have been riding for a while, or those are keen to start progressing to more technical terrain. This…
The Hurt Locker
For the serious athlete, this ultra-tough adventure course has been inspired by the gruelling SAS Selection and is designed to test your mettle. The Hurt Locker has been specially designed to reflect the conditions faced by SAS candidates. Whilst under the watchful eye of former Special Forces operators, you can expect to be cold, wet,…
Mount Buffalo Underground River Caving
For those who like a challenge and a dash of added adventure, Adventure Guides Australia’a Underground River Caving on stunning Mount Buffalo is for you. Crawl through holes, climb up waterfalls and squirm your way through the spectacular granite boulder infill cave. If you are very lucky, you will see the ceiling of the caverns…
Air Time 101 MTB Jumps Clinic
Have you dialled your skills on a variety of trails and feel ready to take the next step? Do you feel like it’s time to get airborne but don’t know where or how to start? Then RideCraft MTB’s Air Time 101 Jumps Course is for you! Learn the fundamentals of getting air under your wheels…
Bright Adventure Company
Bright Adventure Company is an adventure tour operator based in Bright delivering tours throughout Victoria’s stunning High Country. With a focus on delivering safe, exciting and memorable experiences to all customers. Offering rock climbing, abseiling, cliff picnics, whitewater kayaking, hire and guided mountain bike tours to all levels of ability.