Aalborg Bright is self-contained luxury accommodation located in Bright in North East Victoria. The region is renowned for its range of fine food and boutique vineyards; access to Alpine and Mt Buffalo National Parks and scenic touring routes taking in the Victorian Alps and High Country, Milawa Gourmet Region, and historic Beechworth.

Here are some of our favourite places and activities

Food:

Thirteen Steps, 14 Barnard Street, Bright

Thirteen steps down and you will find a rare space that invites you to dine & wine. A little gem under the corner of Gavan & Barnard St in Bright, you can’t miss it, the writings on the wall! Co-owners Roy Merrington, hospitality front man & chef duo David & Imogen Danks bring over 50 years of collective experience in the Melbourne hospitality scene. Their underground wine bar administers a relaxed honest down to earth product. The cellar menu sources local produce harvested from the surrounding valleys. www.thirteensteps.com.au

Coral Lee

Coral Lee is a friendly venue with quirky urban style. Lunch features a great selection of daily specials to complement the regular menu and regional wine list. French pastries and good coffee will also tempt. www.corallee.com.au

Ginger Baker, 127 Gavan Street, Bright

A cosy atmosphere and top-notch tapas utilising local produce, as well as a regional wine list and good coffee, make Ginger Baker an enticing venue for breakfast, a long lunch or a relaxing coffee and cake.

Tani Eat Drink

A must when visiting Bright! Tani offers a casual dining environment and a delicious regional contemporary menu.

Their modern style results in refined dishes that use seasonal and regional produce sourced from small growers (friends) and small producers where possible.

This means the menu changes regularly to suit the ingredients available. They have a diverse list of drinks ranging from craft beer to aged sake as well as a strong emphasis on wine from local and afar.

Drink

Bright Brewery, 121 Great Alpine Road, Bright

Recently renovated and still producing one of the most exceptional ranges of beer in the country, the Bright Brewery has welcoming owners and staff, bar and restaurant meals and a sunny terrace.  All the ingredients you needed to relax and enjoy its Ovens River location.
Live music on Sundays, and beer geeks can also enjoy ‘Brewer for a Day’ workshops. www.brightbrewery.com.au

Grape and Grain Bar, 2C Anderson St, Bright

Located in the heart of Bright and offering  over 50 wines, 20 beers and 40 spirits, plus ciders and cocktails there’s no shortage of choice, and the local content is strong. This contemporary bar radiates chic with mood lighting and rustic decor. The breezy spacious outdoor seating with mountain views offer an inviting environment where you can relax in comfort. There’s a casual menu, utilising the local produce and providing quality and value for money. www.grapeandgrainbar.com.au

Boynton’s Feathertop Winery, 6619 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah

Boynton’s Feathertop Winery produces a substantial range of cool climate wines produced from mainly French grape varieties. These span the full spectrum of whites, reds, sparkling, dessert and fortified wines. Spectacularly situated on a steep hillside with an inspiring outlook, its imposing cellar door includes a terrace where visitors can enjoy alfresco dining in garden surrounds every day throughout January, and reduced trading hours through to Queen’s Birthday Weekend.
A mini-deli has a selection of local cheeses, antipasto and chartcuterie. www.boynton.com.au

Ringer Reef

A small boutique winery, Ringer Reef produces a range of handmade cool-climate white, red and sparkling wines. An inviting cellar door with views across the Ovens Valley towards Mount Buffalo, is the perfect setting to taste varieties such as Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Petit Manseng, and a delectable Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay.
www.ringerreef.com.auer Cafe.

Nature

Walks and Trails in and around Bright
The Alpine Visitor Centre in Bright

Mount Buffalo

Mount Buffalo is a unique and pristine alpine plateau surrounded by sheer granite cliffs. One of the oldest national parks in Australia, it offers numerous day walks of all grades (trail maps are offered at the Park gate). http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park

Alpine National Parks

There are kilometres of walks and trails in the Alpine National Park and surrounding mountains. Visit the Alipine Visitor Centre in the heart of Bright for maps and more information.

Activities

Cycling

Take a slow ride on the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail, sample the local organic delights along the Pedal to Produce Trail, or race, jump and slide on one of the many road and mountain bike courses across the region.

Bright offers some of the best road bike mountain climbs in the world. Local national parks and pine forests are filled to the brim with tracks and trails to get even the most committed downhiller’s heart racing. Get track details and copies of Bright trail maps in town. Cycle the Pedal to Produce trail and visit some of the finest wineries and breweries in and around Bright and Myrtleford. Take a meandering journey through the beautiful Ovens River Valley on the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. The trail makes its way from Bright, through Gapsted Winery in Myrtleford and on to Wangaratta. With a gentle gradient and no traffic to contend with it’s perfect for all ages and fitness levels.

Scenic Flights

Flying out of the nearby Porepunkah Airfield, Holiday Air Adventures offers scenic flights in a high-wing Cessna Hawk XP, with trips covering the Alpine Valleys, Mount Buffalo, Hotham Heights and Falls Creek. Microlight flights are available through Australia’s longest running microlight school, The Eagle School of Microlighting.

Alpine and Cross Country Skiing

The Alpine Resorts of Mt Hotham and Falls Creek are as close as one hour’s drive from Bright. Both resorts offer Alpine and cross country skiing as well as excellent resort facilities to cater for all abilities and interests.

Scenic Drives

Ultimate Alpine Loop Day Trip
At approximately 250km, this substantial day trip is much loved by everyone who does it.  It takes in historic Harrietville, Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain, Omeo, Falls Creek and Mt Beauty in a stunning loop in the Alpine High Country. This drive takes at least 5 hours plus breaks, and is only accessible from October to May.

Happy and Kiewa Valleys Scenic Drive
Happy Valley Road offers a picturesque route linking the alpine valleys of the Ovens and Kiewa Rivers.

Further Afield

Beechworth and Stanley

Historic Beechworth had its early beginnings in the gold rush of 1852. These days visitors enjoy its intact heritage streetscapes, featuring a historic precinct of granite buildings dating from the gold-era, including the courthouse where Ned Kelly was put on trial. The town also boasts a range of fine dining establishments and boutique shopping.

The short drive from Beechworth to Stanley is worthwhile solely to visit The Stanley Pub. Great food and a strong regional and international wine list make it an ideal venue for lunch or dinner.

Milawa Gourmet Region

For anyone interested in local produce, the Milawa Gourmet Region is a gourmand’s dream. The Olive Shop (with adjoining country bakery), Snow Road Produce and Cafe, and Milawa Mustards are all worth a visit.  Chrismont and Brown Brothers are just two of the great wineries in this area.  The Milawa Cheese Factory, known for farmhouse cheeses, an exceptional bakery, is a must. The Factory complex also includes The Muse Gallery and the cellardoor of Woodpark Wines. Nearby Oxley (four kilometres away) is home to Walkabout Apiaries; Ciavarella’s Oxley Estate Winery, Blue Ox blueberries, and the King River Cafe.