Located on the picturesque Great Alpine Road between Porepunkah and Harrietville, Bright is a Victorian tourist hotspot, and is especially popular with those who love outdoor adventures.
If you are considering a family getaway to Bright, things to do that are family-friendly is likely very high on your priority list. If you want to get the kids off their devices and show them some of the most beautiful parts of the state, there’s an abundance of scenic walking tacks in the area and the best part is many of them are suitable for little legs.
Alpine Valley Getaways is the trusted choice for places to stay in Bright, and our team is here to help with all the information you need to have a fun-filled family holiday. Read on to find out more.
The Canyon Walk
Considered one of Bright’s most popular walks, this easy 3km trail takes you past a small canyon carved by the Ovens River. This is an ideal walk in any season, however especially in Spring when you will be able to see abundant birdlife and wildflowers. Start at Star Bridge or at the end of Riverside Ave, from there you can take the northern track (this option has steep steps and may be difficult for people with limited mobility) or continue past the suspension bridge to the railway bridge and return along the Alpine Rail Trail. Allow around 1.5 hours for a return trip.
Alpine Rail Trail
Another walk rated as easy is the Alpine Rail Trail. This popular cycling and walking track follows a gentle gradient that makes it suitable for all ages and levels of fitness and ideal for families with young children and infants in strollers. With 94km of bitumen sealed path that is built over the disused railway line from Bright to Wangaratta, start at the old Bright Railway Station (now the museum) and walk the 7km to Porepunkah. If you prefer a shorter walk, you can join or leave at many different places along the trail to create your own route. Check out some child-friendly Bright wineries nearby or stop and have a picnic near the Ovens River.
Bakers Gully Reservoirs
With two reservoirs to stroll around, you can choose a short half-hour walk around one, or meander around both and walk for around an hour. The first dam was built in 1892 and the second in 1916 to provide water to the town, railway station and trains. While the reservoirs no longer provide water to Bright, they provide a peaceful place for a family walk. Enjoy watching wildlife in the former reservoirs, and try to spot a platypus or tortoise. You can even throw in a line and try to catch a fresh trout.
Bennett’s Walk
This 2.5km stretch allows you to explore the tranquil Morses Creek between the caravan park and Dougherty Bridge. Start at either Hawthorn Lane or Dougherty Bridge, follow the track along one side of the creek to a bridge then complete the loop on the other side of the creek. You will pass the
Mines Department Battery near Dougherty Bridge. This provided quartz crushing facilities for gold prospectors until it closed in 1994 and is open for viewing during school holidays.
Cherry Walk
This easy 3km walk will take around an hour and a half to complete. Walk along the banks of the beautiful Ovens River and learn about its historic gold mining past. Once a bustling scene of gold digging and dredging, it is now a great place for a relaxing, quiet stroll. Start near the water slide on Mountbatten Ave, follow the southern bank of the river to the suspension bridge and return along the northern bank.
Wandiligong Walk
For a longer, but still easy, walk (around 5km), take the track from Bright to the neighbouring town of Wandiligong along picturesque Morses Creek. Stroll past rocky gorges and rapids and stop for a rest in a secluded spot under the shady, native eucalypt trees. Once you reach the quaint town of Wandi, stop for lunch at the Wandi pub or continue on the ‘Wandi Wander’. This is a circuit of the towns historic sites and buildings which will take around an hour.
Looking for Hotels in Bright?
Alpine Valley Getaways is here to help with all of your accommodation needs in Bright and the surrounding towns of Porepunkah, Harrietville, Mt Buffalo, and Wandiligong. Whether you need family accommodation, a pet-friendly cottage or a luxurious retreat for a small or large group, get in touch with us today and let us help you find the perfect place to stay. Call 03 5759 2555 | Mobile 0408 874 437 or enquire online now.