Sights to see and things to do in Bright

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.

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.

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.

Sample top drops at Ringer Reef Winery.

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.

There’s no shortage of exceptional eateries in regional Victoria. From casual classics to finely tuned fine diners, here’s our pick of the plentiful bunch.

Le Foyer Brasserie, Bendigo

French plate at Le Foyer Brassiere, Bendigo — Le Foyer serves upscale French fare.

From the owners behind Bendigo’s beloved The Woodhouse comes this newly opened elegant French bistro. It’s all about welcoming warmth at this city fine diner, after all Le Foyer , translates to ‘the hearth’ in French. A place to linger in the chic, Parisian-style salon, the menu unfurls in the classics, from beef bourguignon to steak frites and mille-feuille.

Riverbank Moama, Murray River

If you’re journeying on or beside the Murray, it’s only fitting that you dine by its banks. This nature-nestled restaurant by the river is idyllic for a long, sun-filled lunch. The menu is an unfussy playlist of the hits served with a seasonal spin – and the mood is as gently flowing as the nearby water.

Felix, Geelong

Soft brown banquettes, walnut hues and a terrazzo bar welcomes with relaxed French bistro vibes at Geelong’s Felix . But really, it’s the collage of simple, seasonal flavours that make this restaurant an easy-going favourite. Come for brunch or dinner; vegans are welcomed with a dedicated menu.

The Perch, Lavers Hill

A laid-back classic of the Great Ocean Road, The Perch at Lavers Hill welcomes those taking a pause from the serpentine drive. Lunch in the warm-wood dining room is accompanied by vineyard vistas and fleeting cameos from native birds.

The Shared Table, Ballarat

If you go for the ‘Dine without Decision’ option at this beloved eatery , you’re free from the tyranny of food envy with a chef-selected procession of dishes that highlight the bounty of the Midwest region. Think mochi gnocchi with pumpkin and XO or Western Plains pork cotoletta.

Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula

This fine diner , which opened in early 2025, has been lauded as one of the region’s most ambitious and significant openings in recent years. Set on a 400-hectare, cliffside Cape Schanck property that delivers the kitchen with a cornucopia of produce, it’s elegant and honest paddock-to-plate dining at its most refined.

Mount William Station, Grampians

Whether you’re staying at this luxe historic station or just swinging in for dinner with friends, the shared table vibe here is country hospitality at its most welcoming and elevated. Seasonal and local produce guides chef Dean Sibthorp’s hand for plates finessed with the mountain-fresh flavour of the Grampians.

Emerald City, Yarra Valley

You’re certainly not in Kansas anymore when you slip behind the emerald curtain from Cavanagh’s Whiskey and Alehouse to the diminutive Emerald City . Allusions to the fraudulent wizard and Dorothy aside, this acutely intimate four-seat diner is a curated experience worthy of a road trip. As you may imagine, bookings are essential.

du Fermier, Trentham

Annie Smithers’ intimate, farmhouse-y French fine diner is not at all new, but it is every bit iconic. It’s long attracted food-lovers to its charming dining room for a set menu that undulates with the seasons. If you’re a gourmand to your core, book into one of Annie’s delightfully informal masterclasses.

Messmates Dining, Gippsland

This Warragul diner’s menu is a well-arranged collection of delicious, farm-forward morsels crafted, quite simply, to delight. Dishes such as French onion dip scooped onto nigella seed crackers and fresh-made pasta tossed with a black pepper and butter emulsion are all about balanced, enjoyable flavours paired with good wine.

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

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.