14 Best Bright Accommodation To Book

From a luxe hotel that tips its hat to the heroes of the cycling scene to a bush-fringed tiny home with epic views of the valley, there are plenty of Bright accommodation options to choose from.

Planning a trip to explore Victoria’s High Country? After you’ve peddled the rail trail, walked along the serene Ovens River and seen the blockbuster views from Mount Buffalo’s lookouts, you’ll need somewhere comfortable to relax. Create a basecamp at one of these top Bright accommodation spots and you’ll have a handy hub to return to after exploring the region.

Luxury accommodation in Bright

If you like your adventures to come with a soft landing, book into one of these luxe properties. Once you step inside, you’ll never want to leave.

1. Bright Velo

A unique hotel proudly geared towards the cycling and adventure crowd, the revamped Bright Velo is a destination in its own right.

a cosy bedroom interior at Bright Velo — Spend a relaxing weekend at Bright Velo.

Each of the renovated heritage suites is named after a world-famous cyclist who made a mark on the riding scene, like Belgian Eddy Merckx who was known as “The Cannibal" due to his savage cycling abilities.

a bedroom with a cosy seating area at Bright Velo — The interior looks simple but classy.

Home to a cracking good restaurant and whisky bar to trade tall stories in after a day on the trails, this place has fun written all over it.

a bedroom with sliding glass doors leading to the open-air deck — The bedroom extends to an open-air deck.

2. Bridgewater

Looking for a next-level place to stay for a corporate getaway or memorable family get-together? Set on half an acre of gardens and bushland, this luxurious executive retreat has everything you need for a relaxing getaway including an open-concept kitchen with chef-grade appliances, a butler’s pantry, a fitness space with spin bikes and an inground swimming pool with sun loungers to chill on after a relaxing afternoon dip.

a modern kitchen interior with wooden chairs at Bridgewater — Bridgewater is designed with chic and modern furnishings.

3. Art House Townhouses Bright

People familiar with the Australian art world will fall in love with this standout collection of upscale townhouses named after greats of the homegrown art scene.

a sophisticated dining interior at Art House Townhouses — The dining interior exudes elegance and sophistication. (Image: Sue Couttie)

Each townhouse has been designed and furnished to perfection, with an emphasis on European and Australian designers, top-of-the-range appliances and artworks that could easily be at home in a gallery or museum.

the bedroom interior at Art House Townhouses — Rest up in the indulgent bed.

Even though the best of Bright’s food scene is just a stone’s throw away, you’ll want to make the most of your time in this very special space too.

the exterior view of the Art House Townhouses — These luxury townhouses are set at the heart of Bright. (Image: Sue Couttie)

Bright hotels and motels

From bush-fringed eco-studios to modern motels owned by in-the-know locals, there are hotels and motels to suit all budgets and tastes in Bright.

4. The Odd Frog

Nature lovers, stargazers and wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the Odd Frog ’s commitment to sustainability, with on-site greywater recycling system and solar hot water lessening the load on the planet’s resources. Book a studio stay to immerse yourself in the sight, sounds and scents of the Australian bush by spending your days walking the local bush trails connected to this secluded property. After dark, get cosy in front of the fireplace or soothe your muscles in the spa bath before waking up the following morning to a sublime soundtrack of birdsong.

5. Bright on Track

Looking for an unfussy, affordable accommodation option not too far from the centre of town? Located right on the rail trail, you’re only a short walk from central Bright when you stay at Bright on Track . Each self-contained unit is equipped with everything you need for your stay, with the spacious, split-level Tower Room ideal for families or groups who need more room to move. There’s also a wheelchair-accessible room for guests with disabilities.

6. Bright Colonial Motel

This cheerful, cycle-friendly motel owned and run by a local family offers much more than a bed to sleep in at night.

a bedroom with comfy beddings, chairs and windows at Bright Colonial Motel — Bright Colonial Motel comes with a cosy bedroom and a comfortable seating area.

Apart from the updated suites (some with private outdoor hot tubs), there’s also a pool, spa and communal dining pavilion perfect for sharing a casual, al fresco meal with your fellow travellers.

If you’ve come to Bright to take on the region’s cycling trails, then this motel has got you covered with a bike wash bay, bike maintenance bench, and security shed with lockable bike racks.

an outdoor deck with a comfortable seating area at Bright Colonial Motel — Spend your laid-back afternoons at the motel’s outdoor deck.

Bright caravan parks

Whether you’re travelling in a motorhome or searching for a cabin stay that will delight your whole family, these Bright caravan parks are worth checking out.

7. Discovery Parks Bright

If you’re looking for a quiet spot by the Ovens River to enjoy some quality time with your family and friends, Discovery Parks Bright is just the ticket.

an outdoor parking area surrounded by lush canopy at Discovery Parks Bright — Be surrounded by nature at Discovery Parks Bright.

A short drive from the centre of Bright, you’ll have no trouble staying active during your break, with a swimming pool, activity room, tennis and basketball courts all on site.

During winter, be sure to book a cabin with a fireplace to stay toasty in the evening.

a group of friends gathering around a bonfire at Discovery Parks Bright — Share some drinks around a bonfire at dusk.

8. Bright Riverside Holiday Park

Only a five-minute walk to Bright’s cafes, bars and restaurants, this well-appointed holiday park puts you in prime position to make the most of what the village has to offer.

modern villas at Bright Riverside Holiday Park — There are plenty of villas to accommodate everyone.

From cute cottages to riverfront villas, there’s a range of accommodation styles to choose from, with the compact, stylish Alpine Pod (complete with deck, kitchenette and bathroom) perfectly suited to singles or couples.

a minimalist interior inside a modern villa at Bright Riverside Holiday Park — Their villas are wide and spacious enough for couples.

9. BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Bright

With the Bright Splash Park and River Pool only 250 metres away, this holiday park is perfectly positioned to maximise family fun. Whether you book a self-contained villa, townhouse, studio, cabin or powered site to hook your caravan up to, you’ll be blown away by this holiday park’s clever design and modern amenities. Visit the onsite Snowgum van for barista coffee, toasties and cakes by day, and pizza by night on the weekend. In the afternoon, head to the Skydeck to kick back and take in incredible views of the surrounding landscapes. If you’re travelling with your mountain bikes, there’s also a handy bike wash bay to keep your wheels in tip-top condition after a long day of riding the alpine trails.

10. NRMA Bright Holiday Park

A top option if you’re travelling with friends or family, this holiday park beside a peaceful creek has neat and tidy cabins and villas that sleep up to six people. For some added comfort, upgrade to the River Spa Cabin to enjoy unwinding in a spa each evening. Kids will go wild for the minigolf course, playground and shaded swimming pool. If you’re travelling in your own motorhome or van, you can bring your pets too!

Best Bright Airbnbs and holiday rentals

For a private getaway with personality, try an Airbnb or holiday rental – there are tiny homes hidden in the bush, country retreats on rolling farmland, romantic cottages and more.

11. Our Place Bright

A real home away from home, Our Place Bright is a collection of four, self-contained holiday homes all located on one property. Choose to book one home or all four if you’re planning a break with your extended family and friends.

a mother and daughter playing at an expansive garden in Our Place Bright — The property comes with an expansive outdoor space.

Either way, each thoughtfully designed home has been created with comfort and connection in mind. From hanging out together in the open-plan living area to preparing meals in the well-appointed kitchen or reading a paperback novel on the sundrenched deck – this space is custom-made for a relaxing break in the heart of Bright.

a sofa beside a lamp and bed at Our Place Bright — Curl up with a book in hand on the sofa.

12. The House at Smoko

A classic country retreat set on 28 acres of pasture and bushland in the farming hamlet of Smoko, this private escape is where to head when you need a dose of bucolic bliss.

the rustic exterior of The House at Smoko — This rustic hideaway is perfect for weekend escapes.

Located on the Great Alpine Road just a 12-minute car ride from Bright, book this three-bedroom retreat during autumn or winter to maximise your time in front of this charming property’s three fireplaces.

an outdoor fireplace with a picnic table and chairs at The House at Smoko — Have a picnic by the outdoor fireplace.

13. Autumn Beauty

It will be love at first sight when you first set your eyes on this picture-perfect character cottage with real curb appeal.

the exterior of Autumn Beauty Cottages with colourful autumn trees on the background — Bask in colourful and postcard-worthy autumn views.

During the daytime, take it slow by watching cyclists peddle the rail trail from your porch and by night recline on the comfy couch with a glass of local red. Only a brief stroll into town, this cosy bolthole is an excellent choice for an autumn or winter leaf-peeping getaway.

a minimalist interior with white-painted walls at Autumn Beauty Cottages — The cottage presents a mix of minimalist and countryside vibes.

14. Little Wandana

Just four kilometres from Bright you’ll find this tiny home at the end of a dirt road in the picturesque Wandiligong Valley – the ultimate spot to get away from it all. With no television, take the opportunity to unplug, switch off and tune into the sounds of nature.

a retreat house beneath the trees in Bright — Stay close to nature at Little Wandana.

Suited to solo travellers or couples with a passion for the great outdoors, Little Wandana’s charm lies in its simplicity. Sit on the deck with a beer while admiring the incredible view or go for a wander to say hi to the neighbouring alpacas – this is a place to enjoy life in the slow lane.

a photo of an alpaca at Little Wandana — Meet friendly alpacas nearby.

Want more travel tips for Bright? We’ve got a round-up of top things to do, incredible restaurants to try and wineries to visit during your stay.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.