Bright, Victoria

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Bright
state = vic


caption = War memorial in centre of Bright
lga = Alpine Shire
postcode = 3741
est =
pop = 2684 (2006)Census 2006 AUS | id = POA3741 | name = Bright (State Suburb) | accessdate = 2007-10-01 | quick = on]
elevation= 319
maxtemp = 20.7
mintemp = 6.1
rainfall = 1074.5
stategov = Benalla
fedgov = Indi
dist1 = 311
dir1 = NE
location1= Melbourne
dist2 = 79
dir2 = SE
location2= Wangaratta
dist2 = 32
dir2 = SE
location2= Wangaratta

Bright (postcode 3741), is a small sized town, located in Victoria, Australia, 319 metres above sea level and in North Eastern Victoria at the southeastern end of the Ovens Valley. At the 2006 census, Bright has a population of 2684. It is in the Alpine Shire local government area.

History

Hamilton Hume and William Hovell explored the area in 1824, naming the Ovens River.

The town was first known as Morse's Creek after F.H. Morse but in 1861 it was renamed in honour of the British orator and politician John Bright. The Post Office opened on 25 January 1860 as Morse's Creek and was renamed Bright in 1866. Citation
last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&country= | accessdate = 2008-04-11 ]

During the Victorian gold rush there was a rush to the nearby Buckland River. As the gold deposits gradually diminished, Chinese miners arrived in the area to sift the abandoned claims. Tensions over Chinese success from Anglo-Irish miners caused the violent 'Buckland Riot' in 1857, resulting in deaths of Chinese miners and the fleeing of 2,000 Chinese. The riot was eventually quelled by the Beechworth police under the command of Robert O'Hara Burke from 80 kilometres away.

Bright has a rich cultural heritage and many locations within the town along with street names can be traced to present day residents. The Bright Historical Society has extensive records of the region's past.

Features

The main industry of the town at the beginning of the 21st century is tourism, with much focus on the autumnal colours of the European trees planted in the area. A major cultural event is the Bright Autumn Festival. Due to the number of Paragliding and Hang Glider launch sites close to Bright, the town has been a centre of activity for Paragliding festivals and competitions.

Bright is a major gateway to majestic Alpine scenery and has a variety of native birds and animals. Morse's Creek and the Ovens River have adjoining tracks which are ideal for short or long walks.

Bright is also a popular family destination over summer and the population swells, particularly after Christmas. During the summer months Bright enjoys consistently warm, sunny days with comfortable overnight temperatures. The town is close to the Victorian Alps, and various Alpine national parks including the Mount Buffalo National Park.

Mt.Feathertop, Mt.Bogong and Mt.Hotham are also near the township. At 1986 metres Bogong is the highest peak in the state of Victoria, Feathertop is the second highest at 1922 metres above sea level.

The Railway Station has been preserved as a local history museum. Although trains no longer run from the township, the 95km Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail allows cyclists to travel the same route ["The Ovens Valley Goldfield Railways" Eardley, Gifford Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin December, 1968 pp281-294; January, 1969 pp1-18] that train passengers would have travelled via the townships of Myrtleford, Beechworth and Wangaratta.

Flora and Fauna

The local area has an abundance and variety of plants and animals. Many wildflowers, large and small trees, undergrowth and even ferns can be seen within close proximity to each other. Within literally 350 metres of the town centre, just a few minutes walk, can be seen platypus, fish, yabbies and amphibians in their natural environment. Overhead there are Dragonflies, harmless native bees and many species of birds including Willy Wagtail, Kookaburra, Magpie and Cockatoo to name a few. They give the area an intermittent background soundtrack and can be quite communicative and sometimes emphatic if not occasionally boisterous. Lyrebirds can be heard outside of town and Wombats and the occasional Echidna can be seen. Several species of mostly small Reptile such as Lizards live in the area, and whilst the local people have a most approachable charm typical of small towns and are surprisingly diverse given the conservative and historic town facade, the same forthright approach to new acquantences is however not recommended if you chance upon a Goanna or Snake on one of the many nearby wooded bushwalking tracks as they have a different temperament indeed.

port

Hang-gliding is a popular activity and there is a launch site called "Mystic Point" on a mountain 3 kilometres from town.

Fishing occurs in the rivers and dams in the area and are stocked with Trout from the local hatchery.

Mountain Biking trails exist within close proximity to the town centre. The tracks range from technical, fast, singletracks to easy river side rides. Best trails are found within the Baker's Gully area and downhill tracks are located off Mystic Hill, Apex Hill and in the Porepunkah pines on the south side of the Ovens River.

Cycling. The Audax Alpine Classic cycle event is run every Australia Day weekend by Audax Australia with over 2000 cyclists descending on Bright. The 200km route takes the rider to Falls Creek and back and then a return trip to Mount Buffalo.

The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Ovens & King Football League. Citation | last = Full Points Footy | title = Bright | url = http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/Bright.htm | accessdate = 2008-07-25 ]

Local attractions

Local attractions include Farms, Wineries, Historic sites, restaurants, the surrounding mountains and more.

Communication

Mail is delivered every weekday and collection from post boxes is regular.The area is within a mobile phone coverage region for NextG (3G) and GSM. (as of Feb 2008)A variety of internet access is available including internet cafe style access. ADSL is available in most places.

Transport

Road access to town is via the Great Alpine Highway connecting to the Melbourne / Sydney Hume freeway about 75 kilometers to the North West or 120 km to the North or through the Murray Valley Highway to the Northeast,Canberra and the East coast, or along the continuation of the Great Alpine Highway to the Southeast of the state.Air access is via small aircraft landing strips in the area like Mount Hotham Airport 75 km by road to the South East.

References

External links

* [http://www.walkabout.fairfax.com.au/fairfax/fairfax/locations/VICBright.shtml Fairfax travel guide to Bright]
* [http://www.brightvic.info Community Site]
* [http://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au Local Government]
* [http://www.railtrail.com.au Information on "Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail"]
* [http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=41 Alpine National Park]
* [http://www.greatalpineroad.info Great Alpine Road]
* [http://www.brightautumnfestival.org.au Bright Autumn Festival]