Bright, Victoria: Best Things to Do in Victoria’s High Country

Bright, Victoria: Best Things to Do in Victoria’s

High Country

Bright is a vibrant alpine town set on the banks of the Ovens River, nestled in the foothills of the Australian Alps in Victoria’s High Country. Located approximately 327 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, Bright is a popular year-round destination known for its stunning scenery, relaxed atmosphere, and outdoor lifestyle.

With leafy streets, excellent local food and wine, and endless opportunities for adventure, Bright is a wonderful base for exploring the surrounding alpine region.

During our stay in Bright, we wandered through the town centre, relaxed along the Ovens River, and enjoyed the scenic Canyon Walk. We also explored nearby Porepunkah, visited the Red Stag Deer & Emu Farm, tried our luck at Stony Creek Fish Farm, and spent time discovering the historic village of Harrietville.

Bright Town Centre

Bright’s town centre stretches from the Great Alpine Road up to the war memorial tower at the roundabout in front of the Alpine Hotel, before continuing south along the wide, tree-lined boulevard of Ireland Street.

This charming area is full of character and offers a fantastic selection of cafés, restaurants, and boutique shops. You’ll find everything from homewares, clothing, jewellery, antiques, and bookstores to op shops, bike stores, and outdoor adventure gear. There are even quirky specialty stores like a Christmas shop and a fairy shop.

After exploring the town, we wandered down to Bright Brewery, a local favourite overlooking the Ovens River. This family-owned brewery is open daily from 11:30 am and offers a great range of locally brewed craft beers, a locally inspired brewpub menu, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere — the perfect spot to unwind.

Centenary Park & the Ovens River

Centenary Park is a beautiful riverside park just a short walk from the town centre. Set along the Ovens River, it features picnic shelters, BBQs, toilets, playgrounds, and a shared walking path that follows the river.

It’s a popular spot for picnics, swimming, and relaxing during the warmer months. You’ll also find the Bright Splash Park here, located on the edge of Morses Creek. The splash park cleverly incorporates elements inspired by the region’s mining heritage and natural surroundings and is a hit with families.

Canyon Walk

From Centenary Park, we followed the river toward Howitt Park, where you’ll find colourful street art on the Sibley Sound Shell and a striking platypus mural under the bridge.

This leads into the Canyon Walk, a scenic and easy 3-kilometre circuit that follows the edge of the Ovens River. The track winds through native bushland and rocky riverbanks, with informative signs sharing stories of Bright’s gold mining past along the way.

Two swinging bridges cross the river and offer beautiful views over the rushing water below, making this one of Bright’s most popular walks.

Porepunkah

Just 6 kilometres north of Bright, Porepunkah is a charming little village located at the junction of the Buckland and Ovens Rivers.

We enjoyed wandering around the village centre, stopping by local cafés, visiting the Punkah Pub, and relaxing in the riverside park. A short 1.2-kilometre walk along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail from the town centre brings you to the stunning Colour Bridge.

Designed by Skunkcontrol, this vibrant installation features a playful walkway of colourful flowers and butterflies. It’s especially magical on a sunny day when the light shines through the artwork.

From Porepunkah, we drove around 13 kilometres to our next stop, the Red Stag Deer & Emu Farm.

Red Stag Deer & Emu Farm

The Red Stag Deer & Emu Farm is a 70-acre property open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. It’s a great family-friendly attraction with beautiful alpine views in every direction.

We enjoyed a delicious Devonshire tea at the on-site restaurant, relaxing on the balcony while soaking up the scenery. Afterward, we wandered the grounds to see deer, emus, ostriches, and other farm animals. Visitors can also feed the animals, and there’s a fun mini golf course on-site.

Stony Creek Fish Farm

Located at the base of Mount Feathertop, around 20 kilometres from Bright toward Harrietville, Stony Creek Fish Farm is a must-visit.

The property features stunning gardens, a café and store stocking local produce, and the chance to catch your own trout or salmon. Fishing poles and bait are provided free of charge, and you simply pay per kilogram for any fish you catch — they’ll even clean and gut the fish for you.

We visited on a Monday (they’re open Friday to Monday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm) and had a great time wandering the gardens and catching a couple of beautiful brook trout for dinner.

Harrietville

Harrietville is a picturesque village located approximately 24 kilometres from Bright, at the base of Mount Hotham. Surrounded by mountains and rich in history, it’s a lovely place to slow down and explore.

Pioneer Park, in the centre of town along the Ovens River, features historical displays that tell the story of Harrietville’s gold mining past. Gold was discovered here in 1852, and the town quickly became one of the region’s richest alluvial goldfields, attracting miners from around the world.

Across the river is Tavare Park, which has a gazebo, playground, and picnic area. A swinging bridge connects the two parks, making it easy to explore both sides of the river.

The Tronoh Dredge Hole

A short distance from Harrietville is the Tronoh Dredge Hole, a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

This deep lake was formed during large-scale gold dredging operations between 1942 and 1954. At the time, the Tronoh dredge was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, extracting enormous amounts of gravel and gold from the Ovens River flats.

When dredging ceased, the site slowly filled with water, creating the lake seen today. A 1.4-kilometre walking track loops around the water’s edge, offering a peaceful walk with lovely views.

Best time to visit Bright

Bright is a wonderful destination at any time of year, offering a perfect mix of alpine scenery, outdoor adventure, great food, and relaxed country charm. The best time to visit Bright is autumn, when the town is famous for its spectacular autumn colours, with tree-lined streets and surrounding hills glowing in shades of red, gold, and orange.

Spring is also a beautiful time to visit, with mild weather, flowing rivers, and colourful gardens, while summer is ideal for swimming, cycling, and enjoying the Ovens River. In winter, Bright becomes a cosy base for exploring nearby alpine regions and Mount Hotham. No matter when you visit, Bright is a place that invites you to slow down, explore, and enjoy everything Victoria’s High Country has to offer.

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