We're always enamoured by the colours of Autumn in Bright. Join us for a weekend away in Victoria's High Country region.

Getting there

The fastest way is to travel north-east along the M31 Hume Freeway and take the Snow Road east through Milawa to join the Great Alpine Road at Gapsted, following it south until you reach Bright. The average drive time from Melbourne along this route is 3.5 hours.

Useful information

Check email for contact numbers for Gayle, Neil, and Karen and add them to your phone before heading out.

Bright & Surrounds https://www.visitbright.com.au/

While in Bright, visit Mieke Boynton and Matt Palmer’s "Alpine Light Gallery". 102A Gavan Street, Bright. Opposite the Bright Brewery. Open 10am to 4pm every day but Wednesdays.

Friday May 10

Dinner

Make your own arrangements. Some people will already be in town and others will be making the journey to Bright late in the day.

7:30pm Light Painting

at the Chinese Bridge,  The Diggings Walk. Chinese Bridge car park off Centenary Avenue.

Saturday May 11

6:30am - Sunrise at McCormacks Lane

Sunrise is at 7:11am McCormacks Lane: Left turn at Buckland Studios sign. Lovely stands of deciduous trees on both sides of McCormacks Lane on the east end of this lane. On the left side near the end of this lane is a chestnut orchard, which can be photogenic in early morning light, especially if fog is present. Parking is on the side of McCormacks Lane west of the deciduous trees.

Followed by 

Harris Lane

The right turn after Porpunkah Airfield. Harris Lane is lined with poplars. Morning light will light these poplars and Mt Buffalo in the background. Another option is to drive down Harris Lane past the end of the poplars and get photos of back-lit poplars as the sun rises. At the corner of Buckland Valley Road and Harris Lane is a chestnut orchard. Parking can be in Buckland Valley Road, just past Harris Lane, or in Egglestons Lane east of Buckland Valley Road.

Sinclairs Waterhole

Turn right into Harris Lane from Buckland Valley Road, and then right into Rockpool Lane. Parking is at the end of Rockpool Lane. Some rapids and Autumn tones

Viewpoint of Mt Buffalo

Buckland Valley Road Views of Mt Buffalo, close to the Porpunkah/Bright/Mt Buffalo roundabout.

10:00am - Meet Larry for a camera basics session or wander around independently

Bright Memorial Arboretum, Mountbatten Avenue, Bright
Picturesque Park with many deciduous trees located on the Ovens River.

Lunch 12:30pm

There are plenty of options in Bright. The Riverdeck Kitchen (behind the Bright Tourist Centre) overlooks the park and Bright Brewery.

Afternoon 2:00pm

Centenary Park, Bright. Parking area at this park.
Canyon Walk along Ovens River. Plenty of deciduous trees along the river. On the north side there is a stand of Poplars. Generally, there are ducks in the river. Occasionally there can be Kookaburras. Closeup of rapids in the Ovens can produce pleasing images.

4:00pm - Golden Hour and sunset at Harris Lane

Return to Harris Lane. Park in Egglestons Lane.

6:00pm - Dinner

Alpine Hotel, 7/9 Anderson St, Bright VIC 3741. Booking in the name of Gayle

Sunday May 11

6:30am - Sunrise out front of Feathertop Winery

Sunrise is at 7:13am

Feathertop Winery, 6619 Great Alpine Rd., Porepunkah.There are two stands of Oaks in front of this winery. Taking a photo from the west side (towards Myrtleford) will allow back lighting of the trees. Take care with parking, and taking photos as this location can be very popular early morning and there is highway traffic.

End of offical itinerary.

Extending your stay?

Check out the local surrounds including:

• Harrietville
• Beechworth
• Myrtleford - Rotary Park and rail trail 
• Wandiligong - if the weather is right you may see paragliders 
• Murmungee (between Bright and Beechworth)