We spent a few days in the town of Bright, in the Ovens River valley at the foot of the high Victorian Alpine Ranges, an unspoilt national park, with popular ski resorts and slopes in winter and a stunning landscape all year round.

The towns in the fertile valley below the ranges not only produce beef and dairy cattle but fine wines and gourmet items - berries, walnuts, chestnuts, olives and hazel nuts. Apple orchards and hops farms abound. Bright, in particular, has always been a been a popular holiday destination with cottages, resorts and camp grounds filled in all seasons.

"Justifiably one of Victoria's favourite year round holiday places, Bright and surrounding villages are known as much for spectacular autumn colour as for the perfect location on the Ovens river, nestled between the Mount Buffalo and Alpine National Parks." - guide

Beautiful deciduous trees which add colourful highlights to the soft grey green Eucalypts and golden wattles of Victoria, have been planted over the past centuries by migrants settling in the area from war torn Europe. Roads are lined with oaks and elms, ash, chestnut, walnut and maples. Public parks have been filled with these trees. Nearby towns of Wandiligong and Harrietville are equally pretty and just a short drive or a long walk from Bright. Cycle paths also link these towns and extend right along the river valley.

See my blog.