Winter in Bright....Why not experience the best of both worlds and book your Winter stay at abalina cottages. With 6 different cottages and price ranges we have something for everyone.

Bright has loads of activities to create an incredible winter holiday.

Why not book our stay 6 pay 5 special......

Day one - spend the day at Mount Buffalo, tobogganing or snow shoeing.

Day two - a beautiful river walk in the valley in Harrietville, Mount Beauty, Myrtleford or Bright followed by a dinner at the Wandi Pub.

Day three – fun on skis at Dinner Plain, downhill or cross-country.

Day four – A short drive to Beechworth, discover some unique boutique shopping followed by lunch at Gapsted Wines.

Day five - Enjoy breakfast at Food Wine and Friends then hire a bike and follow the Murray to Mountains rail trail

Day six - Rest day. Catch a movie at our beautiful Cloud Nine Cinema followed by late arvo massages in your cottage.

Sound good?

Brights Clocktower and Main street road works are finally completed and look great especially with the autumn colours.

Our Autumn festival is now underway and the town is looking amazing! We say this every year but this year seems particularly colourful.

Brighter Days festival.

The Brighter days festival was held over the three days of the March long weekend and was a huge success. This years Brighter Days Festival started on the Friday with the Cotton Ball Run - A car and motorcycle rally departing from Whittlesea, north of Melbourne and traveling to Bright. The Alpine Hotel Stage, in Mafeking Square kicked off the weekend entertainment with free live music from 5pm. The Festival continued early on Saturday morning with the Make it, Bake it, Grow it Market in Howitt Park. Live music kicked off on the Riverstage from 10am until 10pm. The Artists who played included Mick Pealing Band, Cool Change, Joe Camilleri, Chocolate Starfish and Mental as Anything. It was fantastic! We only have one cottage availble for next year so book now.

Long weekend!!

We still have one cottage available for the Queens birthday long weekend. Book via our website or call 0400 477269

Winter Specials!!!

For the rest of June we have a book 5 nights ( from $215 per night) and receive the 6th and 7th nights free special. Call or email to take advantage of this great deal!

July school holidays- Book 6 nights for your family and 2 kids stay free! Call or email to book.

July/ August specials

Stay 3/Pay 2 any mid week night over Winter. Call or email to book

We are almost at the end of a pretty perfect Summer. Beautiful hot days but also just enough rain to keep everything green and lush.

The word around the town is that this was one of the busiest Summers in a long time. Certainly this was the case for us .

Some of our guests were brave enough to try absailng off Mt Buffalo with Adventure Guides Australia. They could not stop raving! ( A half day beginners experience is just $90 )

We have seen lots of new additions to our beautiful town-

The amazing Hero mountain bike trail opened late last year as a fantastic and challanging addition to the Mystic Mountain Bike Park. The park features a network of downhill and XC single track trails built by the MTB community.

www.alpinecommunityplantation.com.au

River to Ridge Motorbike Hire Wandiligong -KTM Hire & Dirt bike tag along tours out of Bright to Dargo and the Victorian high country. The tours include all food and accommodation on overnight tours.

http://www.rivertoridgeadventuretours.com/

Harrietville now has its own bakery with gorgeous pasrties and Sixpence coffee.

Bright has a lot of events coming up this year with a few coming up soon-

12th-14th February – Adventure Travel Film Festival

18th February - Make it Bake it Grow it Bright Market 9-1pm

10th - 12th March - The Brighter days Festival. Free music all over town!!

24th of March- Buffalo Stampede (Accredited SkyRuns are the steepest, roughest, highest mountain runs there are. Bright is a unique venue for SkyRunning and running in general, with trails connecting the centre of town directly to the high Alpine country in a way very few other Australian towns can do)

1st of April -Touratech Travel Event (The Alpine township of Bright in North East Victoria will be the destination of choice for adventure riders on 1 and 2 April, for the staging of the annual Touratech Travel Event, Expo and Adventure Challenge.)

24th of April - Bright Fun Run

Brights Autumn Festival -Friday April 28 to Sunday May 7, 2017. Gala day is on Saturday May 6. Wandiligong Nut Festival is Saturday April 29. Open every day or selected days during festival.

We still have one cottage left for the Gala Day!

7th November -Melbourne Cup weekend in Bright

We have two cottages left.

25th / 26th of November -Spartan Race Trifecta Bright

http://spartanrace.com.au/

We have two cottages left.

Check out our website, facebook and Instagram for last minute specials. Also dont forget that we love our past guests so please call or email and im sure we can look after you with a great deal!

Feb Special- Book 3 midweek nights and stay the 4th night free. Call or email to book 0400 477 269

We are at the end of a very busy few weeks with The Swagger Music Festival, Melbourne Cup weekend, Brights iconic hot rod weekend, the Spartan race and The Tour of Bright bike race. We are now enjoying a few quite days before the town becomes busy again.

A Summer to look forward to..

Cloud 9 Cinema is hosting a Community family night for the region and is opening a second pop up cinema for the school holidays. This second cinema will focus on kids and family movies.

There are many events on throughout January to keep everyone entertained including the debut of Bright Mountain Film Festival, Dederang Races, Australias Biggest Duck Race and Rotary Summer Series concerts - just to name a few. The legendary Audax Alpine Classic hits the town, the Australia Day weekend with Howit Park turning French for Bonjour Bright. Adventure Travel Film Festival, Jayco Herald Sun Tour, Mount Beauty MTB National Downhill Series, Tour De Cure and the Worlds Paragliding fills February with another 4 new events.

New to town is a great little bar/eatery TOMAHAWKS. Tomahawks is located in the just built set of shops in barnard street ( behind the Chinese restaurant) The cocktails and burgers are delicious!

Upcoming Specials

Quick getaway before Christmas???? We have a few gaps before the Christmas break so if you feel like a quick break before the silly season commences take advantage of our $150 per couple per night special. Two night minumum only. (for bookings between 12th Dec - 21st Dec only)

February Special.......Stay any 3 nights and receive the 4th night free

We also have a few gaps for the Christmas/Summer holidays. Prices start from $280 with a three night minimum. Call us now as the gaps will fill fast.

One last sad note....Bright will be very sorry to see the end of our most famous restaurant - Simones. Simones will close its doors on new Years Eve after 30 years!

Take advantage of our last minute December specials and enjoy Simones for the last time :(

After rain, floods and more rain, Spring is finally here. Bright was cut off for a day but the water receded quite quickly and now the sun is shinning and the buds are blooming.

Brights best kept secret ??

Sixpence opened their doors 2 and a half years ago, and are based in what was the original State Emergency Services (SES) shed in the industrial pocket of Bright The shed has undergone a simple renovation turning this place into the ultimate coffee roasting man cave.

Its a family owned and run small batch roastery, they roast on site and are open to the public so you can try before you buy and check out their goodies to go with your latte. They have recently added house made fresh bread and pastries to their menu making it the one place to stop by for a much needed morning coffee fix. It has become ridiculously popular with locals so make it a must visit on your next Bright trip.

Christmas Special

Book 6 nights over the Christmas/ New Year period and receive a $50 voucher at any of Brights fantastic restaurants. Valid from the 27th of December - 30th of Jan. Call or email to book. Limited dates available so book now.

Past Guest Special

Book any 5 nights over Spring and stay the 6th and 7th nights free. Call or email to book

Whilst Bright has so many amazing restaurants

( also a new Steak House opening soon and the clever people from 13 steps opening a cafe! ) The surrounding towns now have so many new and exciting dining options. The Porepunkah pub has just reopened, renovated and under new ownership. It looks amazing ( you need to visit the bathrooms!) and the food is fantastic. The wine list is completely from local growers and the beer menu is a variety of craft beers and old favourites: local where possible, and Victorian predominantly.

The Happy Valley Hotel (The Ovens Pub) is also under new ownership. Great place to stop for lunch on your way to Bright and they also have a steak and parma night which are proving very popular with the locals.

Add these two to the newish Wandi pub ( extremely popular ) and the Alpine and Star hotels in Bright which are both undergoing renovations at the moment and you will be spoilt for choice when looking for a good pub meal.

DONT FORGET OUR LAST MINUTE AUGUST SPECIAL - BOOK THREE NIGHTS AND STAY THE FOURTH NIGHT FREE!!

( Call for more info- 0400 477 269 )

The surrounding mountains still have plenty of snow after a cold wet winter but the days down here in Bright already have a hint of Spring about them. If you are thinking of a few days away, here is a list of whats coming up. Remember to check our Facebook page and our Instagram for last minute specials. Hope to see you all soon. :)

The Alfred 6 hour Charity Mountain bike race -17th September

Myrtleford Alpine Rally -24th September

Harrietville Half marathon -4th October

Bright Spring Festival -15th Oct - 1st Nov

Alpine Equine Extravaganza -7th Oct-9th Oct

Swagger Music Festival 21st Oct - 23rd Oct

Myrtleford & District Show 22nd October

Picnic in the Vines, Porepunkah 29th October

Grand Fireworks Spectacular 29th October

Bright 4 Peaks Alpine Climb 29th October

Brights Iconic Rod Run 4th Nov - 6th Nov

Thule Bright 24 hour Mountain Bike race 12th Nov - 13 Nov

Marngrook "One Talk' Festival -19th November

Spartan Race Bright Trifecta Weekend 26th Nov - 27th Nov

Old tobacco sheds.

COFFEE! COFFEE! COFFEE! Bright is renowned for its many wonderful cafes. We are so lucky to have such great coffee just a short walk away and one of our absolute favourites is FOOD WINE FRIENDS. Friendly happy staff, a delicious unique menu and of course heavenly coffee! @foodwinefriends @dirtyy_milk

The Riverina Alpine Mountain Bike Open interclub series is based around the North East region of Victoria and Riverina region in NSW. The six race series is held over the autumn and winter months and is based on a three hour endurance format. The series caters for all levels of riders and is a fun and affordable way to participate in cross country racing and experience a variety of trails in the local area. Race five is being hosted by the Alpine Cycling Club in Bright. 26th of June 2016

June 2016 marks the 10 year anniversary of Bright Brewery opening its doors at 121 Great Alpine Road, in the heart of our beautiful Bright. The anniversary marks a new era for Bright Brewery, with the purchase of a second site in Bright to build a production facility, as well as welcoming 2 new brewers. The brewery hosts an open mike every Friday night and live music every Sunday afternoon.

Did you know Bright has its very own Acting Company?

June sees the opening of its latest production 'Carbon Dating'. If your in town it will be worth a visit.

Cabaret seating, bar and BYO nibbles.

Tickets available online and at Bright Escapes

www.trybooking.com/lgyq

Upcoming events:

Bright Make it Bake it Grow it Winter Market Dates - June 18th, July 16th and August 20th from 8.30am

Spartan Trifecta Race - Bright 26th and 27th of November 2016 ( one cottage still available)

more info www.spartanrace.com.au

Melbourne Cup long weekend 28th/29th/30th/1st November ( one cottage still available)

Its getting chilly....... Last weekend brought with it bright, sunny days and the first fires of the year. Great excuse for a Ringer Reef red!

The Autumn festival is over for another year. The colours as usual were amazing. This year saw a huge influxe of visitors to our region thanks to an early Easter followed closly by the Labor Day weekend.

And of course the golf course was in amazing condition!

Winter is coming ...

Book 5 nights in June, July or Sept and recieve the 6th night free!!!

All specials are valid in June, July and August 2016

Please call or email to book

What a beautiful start to Autumn here in beautiful Bright. The nights have grown a little cooler but the days are just gorgeous!

We still have a couple nights left here and there in April with 3 nights available from Sunday the 17th of April, due to a last minute cancellation.

The Bright Autumn Festival officially runs from the 22nd of April until the 1st of May 2016.

For a full list of events jump onto www.brightautumnfestival.org.au

Another beautiful shot of our colours taken in the Buckland Valley.

Don't forget our SKI SEASON EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

Book 5 nights in June, July or September and receive the 6th night free!

Well what a big few weeks Bright has enjoyed! Labour Day weekend is already a busy weekend in Bright but the Brighter Days Festival has made it huge.

The Brighter Days Festival is a fun charity bikes, car and music festival held annually on the Labour Day Weekend in Bright. The best part being the free concerts held at Howit Park over the 3 days. From Daryl Braithwaite to Abba cover bad Bjorn Again there was something for everyone! Two of our groups have rebooked and we now only have one cottage left for 2017.

The Easter break, by all accounts, was one of the busiest ever. The weather was sensational and with Autumn colour fast aproaching it is such a lovely time of year.

Cameron is busy restocking the wood stacks in the Rotary 1 and 2 for the first fires of the year, but it hasn't cooled down too much yet.

Next long weekend is Queens birthday in June and we still have 2 cottages left. If you mention this blog and book 4 nights we will give you the 5th night free!

We are almost at the end of what a lot of locals would consider the perfect Summer. Beautiful hot days but also just enough rain to keep everything green and lush.

The general consensus is that this was one of the busiest Summers in a long time. Certainly this was the case for Abalina Cottages .

Our gorgeous town enjoyed a lot of changes last year with both Bright, Porepunkah and Wandiligong pubs all changing hands.

Bright also has two new bike shops , 'Bright Electric Bikes' (sales and hire) and 'ATC Cycles' joining long time favorite 'Cyclepath'. We have a new clothing and homeware shop 'Star Road Trader' and 'The Bright Table' is a beautiful new tablewear store

'Winding Road Design Studio' has opened up opposite the Bright Brewery. It has stunning art work and some of you might recognise Alicia Marshall as the artist behind our beautiful pieces in abailina 2-on- rotary.

We also have a new book shops along with 2 new cafes.

Bright has a lot of events coming up this year with a few coming up soon-

12th-14th February – Adventure Travel Film Festival

13th-14th February – Bicycle Superstore Gravity 12 Hour Mountain Bike

Enduro www.gravity12hour.com/

20th February - Make it Bake it Grow it Bright Market 9-1pm

5th March - Simones Resturant. Umbrian experience Cooking Class

11th - 13th March - The Brighter days Festival

Check out our website, facebook and Instagram for last minute specials. Also dont forget that we love our past guests so please call or email and hopefully we can look after you with a great deal!

We would like to wish all of our past and future guests a safe Christmas filled with family and friends.

Hope to see everyone in the new year!

Cam and Bernie :)

Brights monthly market is on this Saturday at the beautiful Howitt Park. Its a great chance for some last minute homegrown, homemade or organic Christmas gifts.

There will be entertainment throughout the morning so if you are in town this week get down there between 9am and 1pm.

Erin from One Wild Bird will be there with her stall of amazing homemade scarves and wraps. #onewildbird #gorgeous

Bright has turned on spectacular Summer weather for the start of the Tour of Bright and its set to continue all weekend. We are very proud to be a cycle friendly business and cant wait to watch the event unfold! We are so lucky here as Bright offers an ideal climate for cycling with amazing scenery and seemingly limitless choice of rides. It really makes us a cycling hot-spot.

Call us anytime for more info about your next cycling holiday :)

The Bright Riverside Market is on the 3rd Saturday of every month down on the banks of the beautiful Ovens River in Howitt Park Bright.

A visit to Bright's Make it. Bake it. Grow it. Market is shopping heaven if you’re looking for something original, something handmade, something special… something organic, something recycled, something ethical... you’ll find original artworks, wood work, homewares and skincare, as well as gorgeous kids fashion and jewellery by local designers, all guided by their philosophy of “make it, bake it, grow it”.

If you’re a foodie or wine buff, you’ll especially love our market …Bright is situated in the heart of the Great Alpine Valleys ... our own little food bowl! The market has a wealth of fresh produce – including fresh nuts, fruit and vegetables, freshly baked breads, olive oil & pasta, dressing, jams and chutneys, wine & ales, locally made cheeses, trout and meats.

And, when you need a break from the shopping, sit back and be entertained by the local performers guaranteed to get you in the groove.

The market runs from 9am to 1pm and is held on the 3rd Saturday of every month.