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Where to Stay in Bright

With around 30,000 tourism beds in the Alpine Valleys region of Victoria, there is certainly no shortage of places to stay when visiting Bright. In fact, the hardest part about choosing where to stay is navigating the bounty of options to find the accommodation that best suits your needs. From camping to family-friendly stays, secluded luxury villas and boutique alpine cottages, navigate where to stay with our insider’s guide to Bright’s best accommodation.

Bright Centenary Park looking towards Bright Riverside Holiday Park
Bright Centenary Park looking towards Bright Riverside Holiday Park

 

Camping and Caravan Parks

Camping in Bright next to a lake

Credit: NRMA Parks and Resorts

There are about 10 or so Caravan parks between Bright and the neighbouring town of Porepunkah. Most cater for camping and caravans along with onsite cabin options and have plenty of facilities for kids.

  • Bright Holiday Park

The Bright Holiday Park sits just across the creek from our Billy Button Cellar Door in a charming natural setting. It’s a stone’s throw from cafes, restaurants and nightlife, and is a perfect base to explore the alpine region. From here, it’s a 90 minutes’ drive to popular bushwalking and mountain biking destinations, including Mount Hotham and Mount Buffalo. Choose to stay in a comfortable wood cabin or villa, which both have air conditioning and full kitchen facilities, or soak up the great outdoors on a caravan site or camping site.

  • Lake Catani Campground

Lake Catani is an adventure- and nature-lover’s paradise. For an unforgettable experience, we recommend this idyllic campsite on the Mount Buffalo plateau, which has 49 dedicated sites and toilet facilities on the banks of the serene Lake Catani. Set among picturesque Snow Gum woodland, this family-friendly camping spot has sites for small caravans and campervans, car camping and tents only. Walk-in campsites provide campers with even quieter surroundings.

  • Hike-in camping

For the more adventurous, there are a few hike-in campgrounds in the nearby Mount Buffalo National Park. Rocky Creek Hike-In Camping Area is accessible along Rocky Creek track, located approximately 6.5km from the Reservoir Picnic Area. Mount McLeod Hike-in Camping Area is accessible along Mt McLeod track, located approximately 8km from the Reservoir Picnic area. At both, we’re talking off-the-grid with five unpowered campsites and a pit toilet at each. Campsites accommodate a maximum of two people each, fires are prohibited (use fuel stoves only), water is available from nearby creeks, and advanced bookings are essential.

 

Family-friendly Hotels and Motels

Wooden Cabins in Bright

Credit: Big 4 Bright

With loads of child-friendly activities from cycling to hiking and farm visits, plus plenty of green space, Bright is the ideal family holiday destination. Here is a round-up of family-friendly places to stay.

  • Bright Resort

Bright Resort offers simple accommodation in the lush countryside of Victoria’s High Country. Before you explore the region’s alpine landscape, cycling trails or wineries, check in to one of their two-bedroom units (there are 34 in total) with full kitchen and bathroom facilities. The resort is well-equipped for families with on-site barbecue facilities and plenty to keep the kids busy, from mini golf and tennis to a children’s playground and even a mini train. Hosts Walshy and Kate don’t just give you the keys, they’ll cook you breakfast, host pizza night, put the conductor’s hat on and drive your kids on the train, lead you on a Canyon Walk and set you up for a night of smores by the fire.

  • Big4 Bright Holiday Park

Modern facilities and contemporary self-contained villas set among beautifully landscaped gardens, all within easy walking distance of Bright town centre – what else could you need for a comfortable family getaway? The Bright Holiday Park offers a variety of accommodation options, including luxury villas, townhouses, cabins and studios with a mod industrial aesthetic that far exceeds expectations of your usual family holiday park. For those wanting to get back to nature, there are leafy, powered camp sites, too. And for those wanting city comforts, there’s a coffee van to get you going in the morning, and the SkyDeck lounge with views over Mystic Mountain and Apex Lookout to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening. Outdoor barbecue facilities and a Kids Club round out the family-friendly offering.

  • Bright Motor Inn

Nestled among a run of 100-year-old trees, Bright Motor Inn is a well-suited for groups and families seeking affordable accommodation in the heart of town. You’ll find the motel on Bright’s famous Delany Avenue next to the beautiful Centenary Park and backing onto the Ovens River, within easy walking distance to the town’s restaurants, cafes and the Bright Brewery. There are 17 units and a poolside apartment accommodating doubles, singles, twin share and families. Outdoor facilities include the heated saltwater swimming pool and a barbecue area, and there’s a guest laundry for those on longer stays.

Boutique & Luxury Stays

Explore the pristine alpine scenery by day, sip local wines and dine on incredible local produce by night, then bed down in one of these luxury stays.

  • The Buckland Studios

With breathtaking views of Mount Buffalo’s striking treetops and granite tors, The Buckland Studios are a little piece of paradise. This couples-only retreat guarantees 100% seclusion, set among rolling hills and beautiful bushland 12km from the centre of town. There are five studios, each uniquely designed, but all with contemporary styling and the essentials for a luxe getaway. Think free-standing baths with bushland views and fluffy robes, wood-burning fires and gourmet breakfast hampers so you can start the day as early or as leisurely as you wish. 

  • The Kilnhouses

Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the Ovens Valley at this luxe getaway set on a working Angus cattle stud located near Porepunkah. Accommodation is in one of three luxuriously appointed houses – Cavedons Kilnhouse, Chinaman’s Kilnhouse and The Sorting Shed – all with impeccable modern design, fully appointed kitchens and stylish, open living spaces framed by stunning scenery. Cavedons features three-bedrooms and polished concrete floors with washed grey pine accents throughout, not to mention one of the best window seats in the region. Chinamans features a single kiln with 2 bedrooms and is easily recognised by the distinctive ‘Chinese hat’ perched on top of the kiln. The interior has been thoughtfully designed by interior designer Russell Grainger, with stunning Scandinavian-inspired design features. The Sorting Shed is a commanding two storey concrete structure with a handsome warehouse-chic interior. The name is inspired by the process where dried tobacco leaves were sorted in a shed adjoining the tobacco kiln. It’s the dream adult retreat with two wood-burning fires, a cosy den and a Swedish sauna.

Mt Buffalo views between Eurobin and Porepunkah
Mt Buffalo views between Eurobin and Porepunkah
  • Way Out Wandi

This boutique getaway for a couple offers pared-back alpine comfort. Set on a 15-acre working farm and buffered by trees and rolling hills, this cosy wooden cottage combines rustic alpine charm with modern comforts. On the ground-floor, there’s a well-equipped modern kitchen and open-plan living and dining area that spills out onto the deck and garden. When it’s time for a soak after a bushwalk or mountain bike, the bathroom features a beautiful deep stone bath, rain shower and under-floor heating. And when it’s time to rest your head, retreat to the inner-sanctum of the mezzanine bedroom, which has a king-sized bed and uninterrupted views over the landscape.

Heading to Bright? Don’t forget to add a trip to the Billy Button Cellar Door to your trip. It’s centrally located with a range of delicious cheese and artisan products on offer, not to forget all of the regional wines for you to discover. We were awarded 2020 Gourmet Traveller WINE, Star Cellar Door and Best Small Cellar Door in Alpine Valleys – see for yourself why!