History

Bright's History

The area of the sub alpine valleys and the surrounding high plains have always experienced waves of visitors though they have not always come to the area to 'holiday.'  Having said this, the original aboriginal inhabitants of northeast Victoria journeyed on foot to their summer "vacation" on the high plains and enjoyed a feast of Bogong Moths, a traditional edible delicacy.

Sadly, aboriginals were killed and forced out of the area when settlers moved in after the exploration of Hume and Hovell in 1824.  Much of the land was cleared to make way for stock grazing.  Mutton and particularly beef became the local fare and horse and buggy were the means of transport.

High Country beef came into existence in the middle of the 19th century after much of the valley grazing land was incinerated by bushfire.  Local cattlemen discovered the high plains plentiful with summer feed for their cattle.

Gold fever brought in the next wave of visitors from other Australian goldfields and also international seekers came from China, America and Europe.

Alluvial gold washed out of the river gravel and was taken first from the Buckland Valley with many other finds along the Ovens River to Harrietville and its tributaries such as Morse's Creek to Wandiligong.

This was followed by reef mining where shafts were dug and tunnels followed the quartz rock underground.

Although much of the gold was won from the area, it is often said that those who grew and produced the miners food and drink, serviced their needs or governed their lives, made more money out of the fertile valleys than did the miners themselves.  The Chinese in particular, brought with them their skills in growing fruit and vegetables and provided a much needed supplement to their own and other miner diets.

Amidst the mining activity, tourists, botanists, artists, mountaineers and field naturalists could be seen starting to explore the region.

The new railway line to Bright that was completed in 1890, opened up the area further for the movement of produce and people.  Mt Buffalo, Bright and the High Plains were even more accesible. This railway played an essential role in the growth and prosperity of the area. The railway ceased to be used in the 1950's and then in 1997 The Alpine Shire, in cooperation with both the Indigo Shire and the Rural City of Wangaratta, proposed to convert the disused railway into a sealed cycling/walking track, which brings many tourists to the area each year.

Bright is now a well established Tourism town, attacting thousands of visitors each year. Reasons for visiting Bright are many. The town holds many festivals and events and has plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Why not make your next holiday a visit to Beautiful Bright and surrounds.