Top Towns for 2022: Escape to Bright’s laidback yet majestic sceneries

Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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This historic town in Victoria’s high country might just take out the prize for Australia’s prettiest town, thinks Craig Tansley, but there’s plenty to do here besides leaf peeping. Discover why Bright landed at no.7 on your Top 50 Aussie towns list.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

What makes Bright so charming?

If there’s a prettier town in Australia, I’m yet to see it. Bright may well be located in the fissures of north-eastern Victoria, but you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported to a 19th-century mining town in Colorado.  

Set at the south-eastern end of a pine-clad valley dwarfed by the Australian Alps (and more specifically by Victoria’s tallest mountain, Mt Bogong), its leafy streetscape is dominated by century-old-and-then-some heritage buildings, some of which remain from the Victorian gold rush era of the 1850s.  

A picturesque town blooming with green scenery

Its leafy avenues planted with elegant European trees blaze with colour in autumn, while wildflowers bloom just beyond town. The Ovens River flows right through Bright, providing a hell of a backyard view for the cafes, restaurants and breweries built by its banks.  Here, with its sprawling outdoor terrace, the iconic Bright Brewery serves as the town’s main gathering point in summer months especially.  

Elm dining
Alfresco dining at the Bright Brewery.

Local artisan food makers and producers set up stalls at weekly farmers’ markets and walking trails crisscross town, connected by swinging bridges over calm, clear water that is ideal for family swims.

It invites you to explore its great outdoors

The 100-kilometre Murray to Mountains Rail Trail passes through town, too, its easy-to-ride off-road cycling trails that follow the region’s old railway tracks delivering you to nearby produce farms and wineries.  

vineyards around Ringer Reef Winery;
The verdant vineyards around Ringer Reef Winery.

Bright is part of the Alpine Valleys Wine Region, one of the oldest wine-growing districts in Victoria and home to 12 cellar doors set on rambling estates surrounding town. Set across five mountain valleys, with 30 grape varieties, this is one of Australia’s most underrated wine regions –for the scenery viewed from its tasting rooms alone. 

some bubby at the Ringer Reef Winery
Sample top drops at Ringer Reef Winery.

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A perfect haven for adventure seekers

And there are plenty more excellent adventures to be had in the region besides. From tandem micro-light flights off the tall peaks surrounding Bright, to abseiling the sheer cliff faces of nearby Mt Buffalo National Park , to skiing or mountain-biking the slopes of two of Australia’s best-known ski resorts, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham, part of a spectacular loop road that connects Victoria’s highest country.  

Or you might not want to leave town at all. And therein lies Bright’s charm. There’s a festival on almost every weekend, especially in summer and autumn. Or a sporting event – like the Audax Alpine Cycling Classic , one of Australia’s premier mountain bike races, held each Australia Day weekend.  

And some of the restaurants and cafes along its main drag are rated among regional Australia’s finest. 

Sixpence Coffee Roasters at Bright Brewery
Have a delightful conversation over coffee at Sixpence Coffee Roasters.
Explore more of Bright in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.
Craig Tansley
Craig Tansley has been a travel writer for over 20 years, winning numerous awards along the way. A long-time sucker for adventure, he loves to write about the experiences to be had on islands, on the sea, in forests or deserts; or anywhere in nature across Australia, and the world.
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This is Mornington Peninsula’s most indulgent itinerary

    Kellie Floyd Kellie Floyd
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    The Mornington Peninsula blends vineyards, galleries, golf and delicious finds for an unforgettable getaway that indulges all penchants. 

    Just over an hour from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula blends coast and country in a way that feels effortlessly indulgent. It’s a region where vineyard views meet acclaimed dining, art and culture is never far from the sea, and where hot springs bubble alongside rolling fairways. Whether your escape is a long lunch, an immersive art trail or a round of golf, the Mornington Peninsula has an itinerary to match. And there’s always a glass of good local pinot waiting for you at the end of the day.  

    A creative trail through the Peninsula 

    The Mornington Peninsula is a haven for artists and creatives. Its coastal views and rolling landscapes have long been a source of inspiration. Stay at the historical InterContinental Sorrento , a grand hotel established in 1875, recently renovated to blend heritage charm with contemporary elegance. With curated art lining the hotel’s corridors and rooms, you could spend hours simply wandering the halls, studying the walls. 

    Pt Leo Estate outdoor gallery
    Wander around Pt. Leo Estate’s outdoor gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria/Jesse Hisco)

    If looking for an outdoor gallery with sea views, head to Pt. Leo Estate , a landscaped vineyard home to a sculpture park featuring more than 70 large-scale works by both local and international artists, all easily accessible by connecting paths. After strolling through the vineyards, there are three dining options: fine dining at Laura, a relaxed meal at Pt. Leo Restaurant or a vino at the Wine Terrace. For something more hands-on, sign up for the Sip & Sketch experience. And if you book directly into the elegant Lancemore at Lindenderry Red Hill , you’ll enjoy free access to the sculpture park.  

    food at Pt Estate
    Pt Leo Estate boasts three elegant dining venues. (Image: Visit Victoria/Two Palms/Arianna Harry)

    For those who like their art framed by rolling hills, vines and wetlands, Montalto is the place. More than 30 sculptures are dotted throughout the property. The vineyard offers a formal restaurant and casual tables among the seasonal produce in a setting that feels like Mr. McGregor’s Garden from Peter Rabbit. And there’s always the option to picnic on the lawn.  

    Montalto Vineyard
    Montalto Vineyard is an idyllic setting for afternoon wining and dining. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robyn Lea)

    The Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail offers a self-guided walk along bush paths and sea cliffs to see the same landscapes that once inspired brushstrokes of some of Australia’s most famous artists. Along the way, interpretive signs share insights into the area’s artistic past. And, if the peninsula’s weather turns a little wild, the region is brimming with galleries, particularly around Flinders, Sorrento and Red Hill. Artisan studios are open by appointment.  

    A feast for food and wine lovers 

    With more than 200 vineyards, around 60 wineries and cellar doors, plus an abundance of breweries, distilleries, orchards and family-run farms spanning generations, the Mornington Peninsula is a playground for food and wine enthusiasts.  

    Cassis Red Hill
    Luxurious stay, Cassis Red Hill.

    The perfect base for a culinary inclined trip is Cassis Red Hill , where luxury accommodation is tucked between grape vines and olive trees. A quiet nod to the fishing village of Cassis in the south of France, this retreat is all about contemporary elegance – crisp linen, sunlit interiors and a private mineral plunge pool. 

    Then, for a stand-out lunch, Green Olive at Red Hill offers a delicious way to enjoy the region. Graze on generous tasting plates with house-made relishes, lamb sausages, local cheese and just-picked garden produce. Pair it with a wine flight or order a picnic hamper to enjoy among the olive grove; there’s a picnic option for your dog, too. And for a playful twist, Green Olive is home to what is believed to be Australia’s only pickleball court set within a vineyard or orchard.  

    Amid the many wineries with open cellar doors, Main Ridge Dairy offers a delicious detour – a goat dairy where you can sample handcrafted cheeses and even meet the resident goats. For a more refined experience, Paringa Estate is one of the peninsula’s most awarded wineries, offering fine dining with sweeping vineyard views and a menu crafted from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.   

    If you’re looking to step outdoors before a lingering lunch, during winter Flinders Truffles offer the chance to join their clever dogs and search for the black gold under oak trees. For an authentic taste of the region, time your visit with one of the Peninsula’s vibrant farmers’ markets.

    From golf days to spa stays 

    Kingswood CountryGolf Club
    Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    With its champion courses, the Peninsula is a dream destination not only for those who love to tee off but for those who enjoy the post-golf wind down. Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club draws keen golfers from around the world, while Peppers Moonah Links Resort is a course that has hosted both a PGA tournament and two Australian Opens. For a true test of skill, The Dunes Golf Links is one of Australia’s top public courses. Each golf course offers accommodation, and staying onsite means maximum convenience, especially at The Dunes, where premium rooms have you sleeping right next to the fairway. Off-course indulgence is close at hand, too.  

    Alba Thermal Springs& Spa
    Soaking at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Peninsula Hot Springs and Alba Thermal Springs are just next door, where thermal waters drawn from geothermal mineral springs deep underground provide the ultimate recovery after a day of perfecting your swing. These award-winning wellness sanctuaries offer everything from bathing pools to private plunges and spa treatments. 

    Jetty Road Brewery
    Jetty Road Brewery.

    After sinking the last ball, and the 19th hole beckons, the Peninsula serves up just as many dining options as it does golf courses. Just minutes away and right on the beach, Jetty Road Brewery  is a laid-back spot perfect for a round of beers and typical pub fare. For something a little elevated, book a table at Epicurean . Here, a glass of local red pairs beautifully with handmade pastas and woodfired pizza, all served in a historical coolstore and packing shed dating back more than a century.