Tourist Information

WHAT TO DO

The area around Wandiligong, Harrietville and Bright provides a great variety of entertainment and activities for all tastes, from the famous wineries and gourmet food producers, to a wide range of adventure activities, as well as being within easy reach of the snow at Mt Hotham, Mt Buffalo and Falls Creek.

Summer has beautiful sunny days that are followed by crystal clear nights and starlit skies. Autumn is mild and relaxing with famous displays of breathtaking colour drawing visitors from all around the world. Winter brings it's own special brand of beauty, with the magnificent snow capped peaks of the nearby Ski Resorts of Mt Buffalo, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek to delight and excite you.

For general recreation there are a large number of good swimming spots on the rivers.

Wine and Food
There are more than 70 wineries within a radius of 50 kilometres of Bright, including major and internationally renowned wineries such a Brown Brothers. The wineries are complemented by a large number of restaurants, gourmet food producers such as Milawa Cheeses, and food and wine festivals.

The Snow
The Victorian Alps lie to the north east of Melbourne. From Harrietville you can reach Mt Hotham in about 40 minutes and Falls Creek in about an hour. From Wandiligong you can reach Mt Hotham in an hour and Falls Creek in 50 minutes. The ski season is generally open between June and October. Mt Buffalo is just 12 kilometres from Bright.

Snow-covered rolling mountains are ideal for both cross-country and downhill skiing or snowboarding. Falls Creek and Mount Hotham all have slopes for beginners through to advanced skiers.Mount Buffalo is excellent for beginners and families. Mount Buffalo, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain all offer cross-country skiing in the Alpine wilderness.

Ski Report s and Web Cams
http://www.ski.com.au/snowcams/vic.html
http://goaustralia.about.com/od/victoriaskiing/a/skivictoria_2.htm
http://www.vicsnowreport.com.au/contact.html

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

Walking and Riding
The ranges are not high enough for year round snow cover so between November and March wildflowers colour the slopes. During this time the park can be explored by foot or horseback.

Rock Climbing: The sheer granite face of The Gorge at Mount Buffalo provides a spectacular platform for rock climbing and abseiling. The views are excellent and access is easy as you can drive to most areas. Experience some of the best granite climbing in Australia with free and aid climbing areas and climbs available to suit everyone from the beginner to the most advanced adventurer at various sites on the Mount Buffalo plateau.

Fishing: The great rivers and mountain streams of Victoria's high country offer fishing enthusiasts many opportunities to cast a line. For easy access to superb fly-fishing, head to the Ovens River between Myrtleford and Harrietville.

Kayaking, Canoeing and rafting: There are a number of rivers in the area offering kayaking, canoeing and rafting from beginners to the advanced.

Cycling/Mountain Biking: NE Victoria including the areas around Harrietville and Wandi are some of the most popular cycling areas in Australia with a number of major cycling events, such as the Audax, being held every year in the Ovens Valley. The Ovens Valley also has a range of challenging mountain biking trails and the famous Murray to the Mountains rail trail ends in Bright. Also see Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail and Bicycle Federation Tour Operators.

Paragliding: The Wandiligong Valley is considered one of Australia's premier paragliding and hang gliding locations. Booking can be made with Alpine Paragliding http://www.alpineparagliding.com/

Microlights: Bright Microlights offer Microlight flights

Cycling

Skiing

Siteseeing

Local Links:

5 Star Adventure Tours

Food, Wine & Friends

Ceccanti Kiewa Valley Wines

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