EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

BRIGHT is at the centre of the picturesque Ovens Valley, between Mount Buffalo and Mount Beauty about 75km southeast of Wangaratta on the Ovens Highway. It began life as a gold-mining town in the 1850s and today still has a faintly elegant air, with tall European trees lining the main street and filling the parks. A clear stream flows through Centennial Park, opposite the tourist information centre, and in autumn the glorious colours of the changing leaves make for a very un-Australian scene.

As the ski fields of Mount Hotham, Mount Buffalo and Falls Creek are less than an hour's drive away, the town is popular as a ski base in winter. In summer outdoor activities are on offer - such as paragliding, hang-gliding, bushwalking, horse riding and cycling. Alpine Paragliding, 6 Ireland St (tel 03/5755 1753), organizes tandem flights for novices, and introductory and full courses leading to a licence. You could also take to the air in a powered hang-glider from Bright Micro-Light Centre (tel 03/5750 1555) or with the Eagle School of Hang-Gliding (tel 03/5750 1174 or 0428 570 168), who also do very enjoyable instructor-accompanied tandem flights. Or enjoy a bird's-eye view of the gorgeous mountain scenery from a small plane with Holiday Air Adventures (tel 03/5753 5250). Freeburgh Trail Rides, on Harrietville Road in Freeburgh, about 4km north of Bright (tel 03/5755 1370), do very good short horseback rides for beginners; they also have longer rides and can arrange overnight safaris with bushcamping.

For a change of pace, visit Boynton's of Bright, a winery 10km northwest of Bright at Porepunkah, on the northeast slopes of the Ovens River Valley, which specializes in cool-climate wines (daily 10am-5pm; tel 03/5756 2356). There's a café here, open from 11am to 4pm on summer weekends, and a picnic area on its lawns, with spectacular views of Mount Buffalo. Alternatively, head south to nearby WANDILIGONG , a beautiful village that's entirely owned by the National Trust, where you'll find the Wandiligong Café and maze (Wed-Sun 10am-5pm). The maze itself is a lot of fun but the café, serving salads, freshly squeezed juices and home-made treats, and set in a tranquil garden at the end of a 6km bushwalk from Bright, is a truly wonderful find.