organised tours/adventures
 abalina cottages - Bright accommodation for singles, couples and families

 

ORGANISED  TOURS & ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

Read comprehensive tour and general information below (with links) to help you plan your stay in beautiful Bright and surrounds. Bright activities, kayaking, horse riding, para gliding, tandem, trout fishing, caving, abseiling, rock climbing, bush walks, guided walks, Mt Buffalo, winery tours, 4WD tours, helecopter flights, scenic flights, cycling

Kayaking on the River - all abilities levels catered for $125/$135 direct

5 Star Adventure Tours – Kayaking on the Ovens Rivers


"Join Daniel for this trip to experience the fun of kayaking on one of our Alpine rivers. He will equip you with all the safety gear you need (pfd and helmet) and then give you a very comprehensive skills training session. After your trip, come back to the Tour Shop and enjoy a delicious gourmet produce platter at the end of a great activity with a complementary drink."

Depart : 9.00am departure from the shop
Return : Approx. 1:30 to 2:00pm
Included : Equipment, training and a gourmet produce platter with a glass of wine
Bring : Wear clothes that can get wet, bring another set of clothes to change into at the end, closed in shoes or sandals, and personal drinking water and sunscreen / hat
Price : $125pp

The best way to explore the magnificent Australian Alps. This is what life is all about…paddling downstream with the current, watching all the fish swimming around, the wombats on the banks with the odd sighting of a kangaroo or echidna…abundant bird life and just when you thought this can’t get any better…we serve you up the best lunch ever, we even pour you a fresh glass of cool climate wine.

www.5staradventure.com.au p: (03) 5759 2555

 

 Guided Walks including Winery Rours
The guided day hikes in the Victorian High Country and the Alpine valleys are guaranteed to take you off the beaten track and provide an unforgettable and relaxing day out. Visit the gourmet regions of Bright, the Kiewa and King Valleys in Northeast Victoria and experience the Alpine and Mount Buffalo National Parks and beautiful Alpine Valleys on one of the day walks. The tour guides collect you from your accommodation and transport you to the start and end of the hike. Enjoy the expertise, friendliness and professionalism of enthusiastic local guides who provide a quality personal service.
  • Hike the iconic Razorback Ridge and climb the summit of Mount Feathertop. 
  • Explore the lesser-known tracks on Mount Buffalo and learn about the flora and fauna unique to this beautiful granite mountain. 
  • For Wine Lovers, the tour guides have designed an exclusive selection of shorter hikes which finish at one of the region's boutique wineries where you can enjoy a private guided tasting with the winemaker. Experience stunning views as you hike through the bush and emerge at the welcoming cellar door of Dal Zottos of the King Valley, Annapurna Estate in the Kiewa Valley or Ringer Reef Winery in the Ovens Valley. 

All the walks include a delicious picnic lunch with a selection of fine local wines.

Guided hikes and winery visits are available daily for groups of 2 or more people from November to Easter.

Cost: $135 per person (minimum 2 people). Discounts available for groups of 5 or more.

Contact abalina cottages for further details 0400 477 269.

Half Day Winery Tours from $55pp

Winery Tours - Stretch Limo $60pp maximum of 6 or small bus (max 13) up to $55pp

Pick up from abalina cottages at 1/4 to 1 (bus) or 1.30 (limo) and drop off at about 5.30pm. Take in Brown Brothers, and 3 smaller wineries as well as the Milawa Cheese Factory, The Olive Shop and Milawa Mustards. Stretch Limo phone 03 5755 1144

Alpine Valley Tours - small bus $55pp

Departs daily from Bright (other surrounding towns by arrangement), 12.30pm returning at approx 5.00pm Explore the premium cool climate wine of the Alpine Valleys. Our guide will take you on a journey visiting the friendly cellar doors to experience the deep, seamless reds and crisp elegant whites whilst taking in the breathtaking landscapes of our famous valleys. The wineries we visit are carefully selected to give you a personal experience.
Includes

Visit 5 wineries

All entry and tasting fees

Pick up and return from your accommodation

Commentary on route with your own personal guide and vehicle

 

www.alpinevalleytours.com.au Ph (03) 5750 1931

 

Full Day Winery Tours

 

Departs daily from Bright (other surrounding towns by arrangement), 9.30am returning at approx 5.00pm

A memorable day out discovering the premium cool climate wine of the Alpine Valleys.  The tour begins in Bright taking you over the majestic Tawonga Gap with breathtaking views into the Kiewa Valley.  Lunch is in the Kiewa Valley before heading back to Bright via Kancoona and Happy Valley visiting a selection of cellar doors throughout the journey.

Includes

Visit 6 wineries

All entry and tasting fees

Delicious 2 course lunch at Ceccanti

Pick up and return from your accommodation

Commentary on route with your own personal guide and vehicle

 

<!--[if !mso]--><!--[endif]-->Tour Price

$140 per person incl GST

www.alpinevalleytours.com.au Ph (03) 5750 1931

Country Pub Tours $60pp

Country Pub Tours - Alpine Valley Tours (maximum of 13 in bus)

Price: $75pp when packaged with Abalina Cottages (70 direct)


Our Country Pub tour covers six of the best country pubs the Ovens Valley has to offer. Spend an evening exploring the local country pubs, full of history and some great local characters. Let our driver take the worry out of your hands and enjoy a beer or two. The tour leaves Bright at 5.00pm, returning at approximately 9.30pm. The tour includes dinner at Myrtleford and prizes along the way. A bus load of fun. There is no discount on this tour and accordingly a credit charge fee will apply if booked through us. Tour departs each Saturday and Wednesday nights at approximately 4.30pm and returning at 9.30pm. This includes a 2 course meal with beer, wine or soft drink at the Railway Hotel in Myrtleford as well as visiting approximately 4 other hotels.

www.alpinevalleytours.com.au Ph (03) 5750 1931

 

Scenic Flights with Holiday Air Adventures

Holiday Air Adventures www.haa.com.au  Ph: 5753 5305  "Come for a Scenic Joy Flight around the Victorian Alps in a high wing Cessna Hawk XP with headsets and intercom. The fabulous views are something to behold. You gain a truly special perspective of the mountains. See the townships of Bright, Ovens, Wandiligong, Harrietville, Falls Creek, Hotham Heights, and Mount Beauty. The lush valleys, colourful countryside and majestic hills, mountains and Bogong High Plains in the north east of Victoria are spectacular when viewed from our scenic flight. We are fully insured and approved by CASA .

Scenic Flight One - MOUNT BUFFALO MAGIC
Ovens, Mt Buffalo- Gorge, Chalet, Horn, Hump, Cathedral, Catani, Buckland Valley, Wandiligong, Bright (Distant sighting of Mt Buller, Howitt)

Duration - Approximately 25 minutes
3 passengers $ 60.00 per person* ($180)
2 passengers $ 80.00 per person* ($160)

Scenic Flight Two - THE MAJOR MOUNTAIN SPECTACULAR 
Flight one plus Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Feathertop, Mt Bogong, Mt Beauty, Bright

Duration - Approximately 50 minutes
3 passengers $ 110.00 per person* ($330)
2 passengers $ 140.00 per person* ($280)

Scenic Flight Three - BRIGHT TOWNSHIP FROM ABOVE

Duration - Approximately 15 minutes Details
3 passengers $ 45.00 per person* ($135)
2 passengers $ 65.00 per person* ($130)

Paragliding from $125pp

ACTIVE FLIGHT Price: ($125/$210) when packaged with abalina cottages ($130/$220 direct)

“Our professional instructors are led by six times Australian Champion, Fred Gungl placed 2nd on the WRPS 2005 (World Pilot Rating System) and over 10 years instructional experience. Meet your professional, qualified tandem pilot less

than five minutes' drive from the centre of Bright. After a four wheel drive up the scenic road to Mystic Hill. Overlooking the township of Bright, you are briefed by your pilot.Enjoy the views while your pilot sets up the paragliding and straps you in for the most breathtaking experience you will ever encounter. A gentle gust up the face of the hill, a few steps forward, and suddenly you are soaring like a bird.


Experienced guides with horses to suit all riders. All rides include tuition, Hard hats and oilskin coats if required.”

www.activeflight.com.au Ph: 0428 854 455

Adenture Guides Australia

Adventure Guides Australia

www.adventureguidesaustralia.com.au Ph: (03) 5728 1804

(cheaper when packaged with abalina cottages)

Abseiling, rock climbing, caving and history tours


“Abseiling is a user friendly activity that is suitable for most ages and levels of fitness. It is simply a method of descending a cliff by using ropes, harnesses and various devices. Our organisation has been running Recreational Educational and Corporate Abseiling at Mt Buffalo for over 10 Years. The Recreational Abseiling conducted by our organisation has safeguards built in (called Belaying) where our staff can take over control of the descent if the participant has any problems. We also have a coaching rope on all of our smaller abseils (up to 100 metres) and the dispatcher (the person who hooks you on) can even abseil over the edge with you (if necessary) to provide the level of coaching needed.”

Mt Buffalo, a huge granite plateau with almost endless views to the Victorian and NSW Alps, rises above the pretty and peaceful Ovens Valley. It’s about 3.5 hours from Melbourne and 1.5 hours from Albury/Wodonga, and the road from Bright (the nearest tourist village) is sealed. En route are forests rich with wildlife, including wallabies and lyrebirds, and beautiful views of countryside dotted with farms, vineyards and orchards.

 

ADVENTURE 1. Adventure Abseiling at Mt Buffalo to 45 metre freefalls

full day experience $205pp min of 2 people ($195 when packaged with abalina cottages)

The rate does not include transport, accommodation, meals (except lunch) or entry fee to Mt Buffalo National Park ($9.90 per vehicle).
An exhilarating but achievable adventure

Our full day adventure abseiling is a memorable experience that’s suitable for beginners and those with previous experience. First we practice abseiling techniques on the 10 to 35-metre beginner’s abseil sites on the South Wall and at Echo Point. Then we move to the adventure 45 metre abseil ‘The Dragon’ where we descend to the point where you can no longer touch the cliff. From there, it’s down the rope in mid-air to the landing point far below.
A small ‘top belayed’ rock climb returns us to the track at the top of the cliff, then it’s back to the dispatch point to do the descent again, taking note of the lessons learnt on the first descent. This experience takes 5 to 6 hours and is regarded as one of the best full-day adventures in Victoria.

 

ADVENTURE 2 Multi-pitch abseiling at Mt Buffalo to 250 metres

full day experience $250pp min of 2 people ($240 when packaged with abalina cottages)

The rate does not include transport, accommodation, meals (except lunch) or entry fee to Mt Buffalo National Park ($9.90 per vehicle).

Our abseil site is located right at the edge of the 300 metre Mt Buffalo Gorge, and has a sealed car park and toilets. This is an achievable activity for a wide range of ages and fitness levels, with the adventure commencing on our beginner’s 25-metre abseil site. From there, we work through a range of single pitch abseils to the awesome 45-metre free-fall abseil ‘The Dragon’. After a gourmet lunch, we complete these abseils then travel to the bottom of the gorge on our 250 metre multi-pitch alpine abseil. Three pitches are involved, the longest more than 90 metres.
We walk back to the top of the gorge through granite boulders, cliffs and ledges, stopping to appreciate the awesome scenery and views.

 

ADVENTURE 3 Mt Buffalo 300 metre abseil

full day experience $355pp min of 1 person ($340 when packaged with abalina cottages)

 

The rate does not include transport, accommodation, meals (except lunch) or entry fee to Mt Buffalo National Park ($9.90 per vehicle).

An amazing world class challenging adventure experience


At 300 metres high, the North Wall of Mt Buffalo Gorge is a major granite feature that’s internationally regarded as an abseiling challenge.
The usual descent is by first abseiling 160 metres on a single rope in an area normally only accessible to skilled rock climbers, down to a large ledge. We then use double rope ‘pull down’ systems to descend a further 3 x 50 metre pitches to the gorge floor, stopping on small ledges. The descent can take up to 3.5 hours dependent on group size, experience and weather. From the bottom of the cliff, we walk to the crystal brook for lunch.
The route back is via a creek crossing, then a climb directly up a steep crevasse to the top of the gorge. Some areas need to be top roped as there is rock climbing involved. In wet weather there is an alternative route back.

 

ADVENTURE 4 Rock Climbing Mt Buffalo

full day experience $205pp min of 2 people ($195 when packaged with abalina cottages)

The rate does not include transport, accommodation, meals (except lunch) or entry fee to Mt Buffalo National Park ($9.90 per vehicle).

Introductory Rock Climbing at Mt Buffalo A thrilling full day adventure


Our full day climbing adventure is a memorable experience that’s suitable for beginners and those with some previous experience. First we practice techniques on some small climbs. Then we move to other locations as the day progresses and our skills improve.
We will finish our day by ascending the magnificent Cathedral pinnacle where we climb three pitches to reach the top and then abseil back down to the bottom again.

 

ADVENTURE 5 Day walk to Mt Feathertop Summit (Vicoria’s second highest Mountain)

full day experience $155pp min of 2 people ($148 when packaged with abalina cottages)


A challenging but achievable full day adventure walk

Mt Feather Top, a magnificent alpine peak (Snow covered in winter and early spring) with almost endless views to the Victorian and NSW Alps, rises above the pretty and peaceful Ovens Valley. It’s about 4 hours from Melbourne and 1.5 hours from Albury/Wodonga, and the road from Bright (the nearest tourist village) is sealed. En route are forests rich with wildlife, including wallabies and lyrebirds, and beautiful views of countryside dotted with farms, vineyards and orchards.

Our full day adventure walk commences either at Harrietville a small gold fields town nestled at the headwaters of the Ovens river or from the alpine spurs near Mt Hotham a further 40 minute drive from Harrietville. The Mt Hotham option has the less steep walking option and all the walks are “there and back again” although for an extra fee we can have a vehicle pick us up at one of the other start points so that we can ascend the mountain via one route and descend on another.
A small ‘top belayed’ rock climb returns us to the track at the top of the cliff, then it’s back to the dispatch point to do the descent again, taking note of the lessons learnt on the first descent. This experience takes 5 to 6 hours and is regarded as one of the best full-day adventures in Victoria.

OTHER WALKS
Other walks include the Big walk to the top of Mt Buffalo, the walk to the summit of Mt Bogong (Victoria tallest peak) Walks from Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and around Beechworth and Bright. Specific needs such as history, wildlife etc. can be catered for.

 

ADVENTURE 6 History and Heritage Tours in North East Victoria

full day experience $155pp min of 2 people ($148 when packaged with abalina cottages)

Includes gourmet lunch and all museum entry fees


Human Occupation of North East Victoria over the Millennia
Stepping back in time


We meet at the town hall gardens in Beechworth and after a short discussion on the day commence a town tour to look at the historical street scapes and how the various cultures have influenced the town’s development.
We will also visit the Burke Museum and Chinese heritage displays
During the day we will drive to view points and also the Mt Pilot Aboriginal Art sites and Woolshed Valley Gold field where we will pan for gold.(This is near the spot where members of the Kelly Gang killed Aaron Sheritt just prior to the siege at Glenrowan in 1880)

 

Caving –Adventure Guides Australia

½ day from $99 pp www.adventureguidesaustralia.com.au Ph: (03) 5728 1804

Book and pay direct as there needs to be larger numbers for this.


“The Cave is a Granite Boulder Infill Cave some 400 metres long with about 100 to 150 metres easily navigable (for a normal group, this can take up to 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours). During Nov to Jan there is often swift running water in the Cave and this adds to the adventure. The expedition is always partly in water and you will get wet and cold, see clothing requirements in "you need". There are glow worms in the cave and although they are sometimes elusive, they can often be seen from early January to the end of Summer. There are also cave dwelling spiders, cave crickets and other insects. In Early autumn there are unusual Fungi in the cave as well.”

Scenic Flights from $80pp

 

Microlighting from $70pp

Eagle School of Microlighting

from $70 pp 10 mins to $175 pp 35 mins) www.eagleschool.com.au Ph: (03) 5750 1174 book and pay direct


“Microlights, powered hang gliders, are factory made to aircraft safety standards, and approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This is the perfect way to explore the beautiful Ovens Valley and the spectacular Mount Buffalo plateau from the air - an unforgettable experience! 10 minute to 30 minute flights.

During all flights you will be shown how the glider is controlled, and will then be given the opportunity to control the glider under instruction. At the highest point of your flight, (either 3000 or 6000 feet), the engine will be switched off for a silent glide back to the airstrip. At this point you will experience what un-powered flight feels like…this is the closest you get to flying like an eagle.

Fly up to a height of 3000 feet above the ground. Take the time to absorb the grandeur of the wooded high country and the patchwork river valleys surrounding the picturesque resort town of Bright. In winter, see the majesty of Australia's snow-capped ski mountains, stretching from Mt.Buller to Mt.Bogong and beyond. 10 minute to 30 minute flights.

We have wing-mounted 5 mega pixel digital cameras to capture your whole flight which is burnt onto a CD for you to view after your flight. From this vantage point with our wide-angle lens we capture you in the foreground as well as the beautiful scenery below. These top quality digital photos are memories that will last forever. Participants in all of our flights receive a certificate of merit for their achievement, which counts towards further training in Microlighting.”

 

Fly Fishing from $90pp

Fly Fishing - Angling Expeditions Victoria

www.anglingvic.com.au Ph: (03) 5754 1466

3 hours From $205 pp (1 ) $110 pp (2) $90 pp (3) & $70pp (4 people) Also ½ day and full day

Book and pay direct

“ Come and join us on a great adventure, fly fishing for wild trout in sparkling mountain streams. You won‘t regret it, not ever!
No previous experience is necessary, we will teach you everything. Join fishing guide Geoff Lacey and develop new skills and a greater sensitivity for nature while enjoying the unique beauty of the Australian bush. We provide everything; fishing gear, waders, lunch, the lot. You just bring your camera and perhaps a change of clothes in case you fall in! Choose from a part day, half day, whole day or multi day trip, each tailored to suit your situation and pocket. Different trips are designed to meet the needs of first-timers, occasional anglers and die-hard enthusiasts.

Horse Riding from $70pp

Horse Riding – Bogong Horseback Adventures

from $70 pp www.bogonghorse.com.au Ph (03) 5754 4849 Book and pay direct


“The mountain valleys of North East Victoria abound with colourful bird life, majestic views, lush pastures and a delightful climate. Mountain Creek Trail Rides offer day rides in the heart of the High Country. Experience riding the beautiful tracks of the Alpine National Park through tall mountain forests, fern gullies and river crossings.

Many more activities on during the autumn and spring festivals.

www.brightspringfestival.com.au
www.brightautumnfestival.org.au

 

 

Bright accommodation for singles, couples and families

www.luxuryaccommodationbright.webs.com