Victorian High Country

Exploring Bright, Mytrleford & Porepunkah

The beautiful town of Bright and its surrounding neighbours should be on everyones Victorian road trip list. A jaw dropping stunning town that absolutely comes to life in Autumn. Full of walks, cellar doors, bike trails and local produce Bright is the outdoor enthusiasts and foodies dream destination. Camp or stay in boutique accommodation, Bright has something for everyone.

When we first entered the Alpine region we were instantly greeted endless mountain views, tall red and gold hues, oceans of uniform pine trees and more colourful trees than you can poke a stick at. I’m shocked that I’ve taken 32 years of my life before stepping foot is such stunning towns!

What can you do in Bright & surrounds?

We camped in a local caravan park and completely underestimated just how much time we would need to explore this beautiful part of Victoria. Us and the kids spent 4 jam packed days of bike riding, hikes, Autumn exploration and cafe stops, but could have easily stayed another week or two to see, do and eat everything!

Along the road from Bright to Porepunkah

Walks in Bright

We did three walks while staying in the area, all with the kids.

Canyon Walk - 3 km Return | Start: Howitt Park, Bright

Seeking an easy yet incredibly scenic hike in Bright? Don't miss the 3km return Canyon Walk along the Ovens River. This gentle looped trail guides you through tranquil bushland, over iconic swinging bridges, and alongside colourful seasonal scenery.

From Howitt Park, the Canyon Walk Bright immediately shows off its riverside setting and beautiful Autumn colours, you can dip your feet in by accessing the river below. Post hike grab a coffee! its only a few minutes to coffee shops and bakeries. We really enjoyed this one, the kids collected Autumn leaves and I took photos, and of course we grabbed coffee afterwards.

2. Bright to Porepunkah via the rail trail - an easy family bike ride

Bright is a cycling paradise catering to all skill levels, from scenic rail trails perfect for families to intense downhill tracks. We opted for an easygoing pedal along the paved Bright to Porepunkah Rail Trail.

Renting bikes right in central Bright, we hit this well-maintained 8km path winding through farmland, forests, and alongside the Ovens River. Relatively flat with a smooth surface, it's ideal for a casual cruise while soaking up gorgeous High Country views.

We rode all the way to Porepunkah, stopping for a break where the kids played at the riverfront park while we grabbed cold drinks from the shops. this ride was beautiful, im already planning to come back and do it all again.

3. Bright to Apex lookout. 1.5 km hike.

After all of our easy scenic bike riding we thought it was time to get the heart pumping a little more. Starting at Quinns Gap, this is a steady 1.5km hike uphill to a beautiful lookout of Bright township and Mount Feathertop. Its a bit of an uphill push. We got the girls out of bed nice and early for this one, we began the hike was layers on and ended up with just t-shirts, you will work up a sweat but the view is absolutely worth it. We made coffee and hot chocolates and admired the view before climbing back down.

Bright to Wandiligong Ride - 5.5km

The first ride we did after jumping on the rental bikes was to Bright to Wandiligong, and lucky for us the Wandi Nut Festival was running, so the incentive to get there was a lot greater as we knew we had food trucks and roasted chestnuts waiting for us. Not that it was a tough ride, it was scenic and easy along the paved paths. We started off by passing the field where the para gliders land, which you could sit and watch for hours, and then carried on riding alongside the river and through autumn forest , it really was a beautiful ride.

Past the river on the way to Wandiligong

Our days were full! We bike rode, walked and explored for a solid 4 days. I was up early to enjoy the morning sun pushing through the Autumn leaves and by the camp fire at night. It really was one of my most memorable weekends way so far. Its such a busy and beautiful little town with so much to offer everyone.

My top things to do in bright would be: