The Great Valley Trail proposed alignment (Bright to Harrietville) is out for public comment. The Upper Ovens River valley is a rich source of historical and cultural heritage and this trail will provide places for people to meet and interact, increasing community and social connection to each other and to the history of the valley. ON THE TRAIL. . The trail will follow the Ovens River and the Great Alpine Road and will create an iconic national trail . Welcome to Alpinelink, the visitors internet gateway to the Victorian High Country Region in North East Victoria, Australia. If anyone walks or rides on the prepared surface, it needs to be re-worked prior to laying asphalt, causing delays. Always stop at road crossings and give way to vehicle traffic. Please follow signage instructions, even after working hours. Regional towns that surround Beechworth specialise in food and wine, bike riding and local history that's waiting for you to discover. As one of Victoria's many rail trails, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Bright. When signage is in place, we continue to ask your assistance in keeping the work site safe by abiding by all signage, and keeping out of the areas until the construction of the section is complete. Victoria's most iconic cycling route, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, has finally reached the mountains, and in the great tradition of these things, they've left the best to last. His name is Pete. Flexible pick up & return times for your group. A family-friendly bike trail from Bright to Harrietville has opened extending the Murray to Mountains rail trail and we were keen to test it out with our family - dog included- to see just how friendly it was. Cafe. The line closed in on 30 November 1983 between Bright and Myrtleford, and back to the junction with the North East line at Bowser on 13 April 1987, the Yackandandah line from Everton having closed in December 1976. There is a parking area at the northern end, and the trail passesa picnic and bbq area at the southern (Old Harrietville Road) end. The trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. Something went wrong. The team at Bright Electronic Bikes was fantastic to deal with from booking to return, ensuring that we all clearly understood how to use the bikes and the various functions before setting off and provided a detailed map for our itinerary. By closing this banner or browsing this site you agree to the use of cookies and the terms outlined in the Privacy andCookiepolicies. Bright to Harrietville - Great Valley Trail. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Along the ride (no matter which leg you choose) youll savour some of Australias finest. . This section is on the Great Alpine Road Reserve. The Bright railway line was a railway line in Victoria, Australia constructed by the Victorian Railways as a branch from the previously constructed Yackandandah line to Beechworth, with the Bright line branching at Everton.The line followed the Ovens Valley opening as far as Myrtleford on 17 December 1883 being extended to Bright on 17 October 1890.. Besides bicycles, Harrietville is often peppered with packs and poles of hikers ready to tackle a strenuous days walk up to the fabled Mt Feathertop. Mount Beauty, a side trip off the Great Alpine Road through the Tawonga Gap, with its spectacular lookout over the Kiewa Valley sits at the base of Victorias highest peak, Mt Bogong. A pleasant ride from Harrietville to Bright - this direction is mostly downhill. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. The trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. A Branch line from Everton to Beechworth is also open, a distance of approximately16Km. THE new $2.6 million Great Valley Trail linking Bright to Harrietville is already opening up a world of opportunity for visitors and tourists alike this summer. - Gunadoo Berries, Smoko Middle Kinglake Primary School. Beginning as a goldmining settlement during the Victorian Gold Rush, these days you can enjoy a range of hiking, cycling, swimming and walking trails alongside an abundance of local produce and delicious food . Never leave a dog poo bag on the ground or tied to a tree take it with you and dispose of it in a bin. Signs are in place so crews can work safely, and so that surfaces can be prepared in advance of asphalt being laid. Just past Discovery Parks Bright, a series of tight bends through the forest adds a bit of frisson to the ride, and we need to be alert to the possibility of other cyclists around blind corners. You can also go paddle boarding or canoeing on the lakes, he says. Departing from the front of the bike shop we continued along the Delany Ave shared pathway before crossing the road and continuing alongside the Great Alpine Rd for a few kilometres. Its here, on the morning of our ride, that we fuel up with a heroic breakfast at Ginger Baker Cafe. If youre up for an extra 6 kilometres (whats another, This scenic sealed loop can be started from within the Myrtleford township or be included as an addition to the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. There are so many to choose from, different tracks and trails that showcase the picturesque townships, rivers, forests and wildlife of the area. The (overall) project completion date is January 2022. Harrietville is just 22 kilometres from Bright and is a gorgeous and peaceful mountain village with a population less than 400 people. The 27-kilometre section between the beautiful town of Bright and the quirky village of Harrietville at the foot of the Australian Alps has been sealed, signposted and delivered. If you have padded bike pants- take them. Eventually, we realise no one else is going our way, as every other cyclist is heading towards Harrietville. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 23 min to complete. The guardrail is complete - this will form the physical barrier between the trail and the traffic lanes on the Great Alpine Road. COME RIDE THE RAIL TRAIL: Cyclists of all ages are invited to ride the rail trail in Tour de Trail on March 13 Id:20961. The Great Valley Trail project will deliver 16kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a27kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extending the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Kookaburras seemingly laughed at us from the tops of the trees. Or should you head home to prepare for a kayaking adventure on the Ovens River? beechworth & bright -festival of the falling leaves wednesday 27th april - Read More Great Valley Trail: Bright to Harrietville. Public Transport Victoria. We recognise the ancient and continuing presence of the First Peoples on these lands and their important role as caretakers of these Countries. Walks and Trails. We are endeavoring to minimise the closure times, and open up these public spaces for you to enjoy as soon as we can. Bright is a popular getaway from Melbourne offering a base for exploring Mount Buffalo, Mount Feathertop, Alpine National Park, Mount Hotham, and surrounding towns and villages including Mount Beauty, Falls Creek, Myrtleford, Harrietville and Dinner Plain. These towns are a popular base for road cycling and mountain biking, from the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, to the Bright - Harrietville Shared Trail and Mystic Mountain Bike Park with over 30 kms of trails to suit all abilities. Bright. Get to know this 26.2-km point-to-point trail near Bright, Victoria. More detail will be provided on the scheduling of this work as we approach the construction phase. Ahhh, thats a shame, says Pete. Wind your way through eucalypts, along the river and through the spectacular valley to arrive in Harrietville where you can find refreshments. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is the perfect way to discover the diverse and ever-changing landscape of North East Victoria from natural bushland to verdant farmland, delightfully unexpected hidden valleys and some of Australias most spectacular mountain ranges. Turn east back toward town, following the bike path alongside Standish Street. Follow the rail trail from the centre of Bright towards the Tawonga Gap turnoff, where the new trail begins. Thank you and enjoy! Bright Adventure Company. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. This trail will provide infrastructure that is accessible, free to use and safe, enabling all ages and socio-economic groups to participate in low impact exercise. We would love to hear what you think about the website. Our preferred drink is the excellent coffee, produced by another local hero, Sixpence Coffee. We are endeavoring to minimise the closure times, and open up these public spaces for you to enjoy as quickly as we can. This section follows the Ovens River by reclaiming a section of forest previously inundated by blackberry and willow. We recognise the ancient and continuing presence of the First Peoples on these lands and their important role as caretakers of Country. With cathedral ceilings. Whilst standing on the banks, Shan noticed on the other side of the river was a large Sambar deer who looked back at us before disappearing into the thicket. Arriving at midday, we pulled up at the Harrietville Hotel hungry and welcoming our rest. Explore this 16.3-mile point-to-point trail near Bright, Victoria. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bright_railway_line&oldid=1139525896, Closed regional railway lines in Victoria (Australia), All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 15:59. The Great Valley Trail project adds 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a 27 kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extending the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. It shadows the Great Alpine Road, which winds and climbs through spectacular countryside in the leg between Myrtleford and Dinner Plain, but on the trail youre more often in touch with Ovens River, meandering through and around forests and farms. Please quote this number when phoning or texting. Ride or Walk the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Get the latest travel news, reviews, offers and more, direct to your inbox. Cyclists, walkers and fishermen have been among those in the last month making early use. Rugged up in many layers, beanies, and gloves, we set off on our adventure. Pavement construction work cannot occur in the wet weather so works are mainly focused on construction of the basic formation of the trail. Outdoor Recreation. Find walks in Bright, Myrtleford, Harrietville and at Mount Buffalo and Hotham, and in the gorgeous riverside towns of Porepunkah and Mount Beauty. 7. There is 800m on the Great Alpine Road (again behind guardrail), before turning in at Bibby Lane to utilise the existing bridge to cross to the East side of the Ovens river. There has been strong and widespread community support for this project since an initial scoping study for the route was completed in 2011. The line followed the Ovens Valley opening as far as Myrtleford on 17 December 1883 being extended to Bright on 17 October 1890. The 27-kilometre trail extends the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. From the Freeburgh township side (West) of the Ovens, the trail follows an existing vehicle track all the way to Dibbin Lane. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. From farmers markets to flea markets, here's when and were you'll find them. All rights reserved. [1][2][3], The line carried a variety of traffic, including many tourists to Mount Buffalo, where the Victorian Railways operated the Mount Buffalo Chalet. #AlpineAdventures #HolisticHikes #SwappedHikeForBike #Trails #DiscoverVictoria #TheGreatAlpineTrail #BeautifulBright #FamilyFriendlyAdventures #WhatToDoInBright, 'Holistic Hikes acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia, in which we hike, their connections to land, sea, and community. All significant culverts and earthmoving works for the trail are either complete or nearing completion. Harrietville is just 22 kilometres from Bright and is a gorgeous and peaceful mountain village with a population less than 400 people. The staff at the bike hire place in Bright had run through how they work and after exactly three pedals, you wondered what you had been so worried about this is fun. Bright to Porepunkah Rail Trail (6km sealed track, one-way or 12km . You pass the Bright Museum at the Old Railway Station and head up an avenue of trees adorned with candle-like purple flowers. The Great Valley Trail project is brand new 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a 27 kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extending the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Rail Trail Cottage. Our region is home to a number of endangered species, such as platypus, for which litter can cause death, injury or serious illness. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. This was the biggest bucket-dredge gold mine in the southern hemisphere in the 1940s and 50s, but is now a spectacular swimming hole surrounded by forest and mountains both are reflected in the cool water with a shady picnic area and a 20-minute walking loop. The seats although padded still leave their presence felt a few days later after such a distance. A few kilometres from Bright with Miss 12s legs tiring we slowed our pace and rolled into town with little effort. Harrietville is just 22 kilometres from Bright and is a gorgeous and peaceful mountain village with a population less than 400 people. Bass Strait Direct. Crisp cool nights and warm summer days make the Alpine Valley one of the country's most delightful boutique wine regions. The Great Valley Trail isa new family friendly shared cycle trail between Bright and Harrietville. . At the base of Mount Hotham and only 25km from Bright, Harrietville is a family . Site by Symphony3, 1 - Germantown Streamside Reserveto Old Harrietville Road, Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians. Rail Trail Cafe. Turn right onto the sealed trail on the south side . Great fit outs and even original art on the walls done by our captive artist! Generous covered luggage storage perfect for large groups with all provisions and ski gear. There are no other hazards to speak of, bar a few low-hanging branches to brush tall riders helmets, or the occasional blackberry thorn poking out. A swimming pool and barbecue are available. 2. And huge bathrooms with separate bath and shower. Youd think the town got its name from the spectacular arboreal colour it displays every autumn, but it was in fact named for John Bright, a notable 19th-century British orator hes said to have popularised the phrase to flog a dead horse who never visited the place. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. With the support of Traditional Owners and our project partners, works are continuing on the Great Valley Trail. Canyon Walk and Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Loop, Murray to Mountains: Bright to Porepunkah, Coopers Road, Steves Super Highway, and Bakers Gully Loop. Works timeframes areweather dependent. as a local history museum. The trail will follow the Ovens River and the Great Alpine Road and will create an iconic national trail, significantly contributing to North East Victorias tourism economy. Military 6x6 vehicle for all the mountain secrets. I cant believe theres over 150km of connecting bike path out here, you shout over your shoulder to the others who are laughing along behind you.