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 cafA© 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 CafA© and maze (Wed-Sun 10am-5pm). The maze itself is a lot of fun but the cafA©, 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.