FIVE OF THE BEST…

Places to eat

The EMPIRE HOTEL does hearty meals and favours Beechworth beers and wines. empirehotelbeechworth.com.au HARRIETVILLE BAKERY is where Australia Post meets Swiss pastry. 219 Great Alpine Road MOUNTAIN KITCHEN is a cosy Dinner Plain cafe. mountainkitchen.com.au THE PRODUCE STORE in Mansfield sells freshly prepared food and local foodstuffs. theproducestore.com.au TOMAHAWKS in Bright has an American-inspired menu and a great buzz. tomahawksbright.com.au

Places to drink

BRIGHT BREWERY overlooks the Ovens River and uses sustainable brewing practices. brightbrewery.com.au FEATHERTOP WINERY in Porepunkah has a cellar door, restaurant and accommodation. feathertopwinery.com.au MICHELINI WINES in Myrtleford is a 150-year-old family owned winery. micheliniwines.com.au REED & CO. DISTILLERY is also a bar and restaurant in a repurposed mechanics’ garage in Bright. reedandcodistillery.com WANDI PUB is a beloved local favourite in Wandiligong, near Bright. thewandipub.com

Places to stay

DINNER PLAIN ACCOMMODATION offers self-contained lodgings for up to 22 people. dinnerplainaccommodation.com.au PROVENANCE in Beechworth has tasteful accommodation behind the restaurant. theprovenance.com.au QT FALLS CREEK has designer apartments and is bogong-shaped from above. qthotelsandresorts.com/falls-creek SKILIB is a low-key laid-back lodge on Mt Buller. skilib.com.au THE STELVIO VILLAS are modern two-storey semis in central Bright. alpinevalleygetaways.com.au

Tours to join

BOGONG HORSEBACK ADVENTURES operate from the Baird family’s Tawonga property Spring Spur. bogonghorsebackadventures.weebly.com MYRTLEFORD CYCLE CENTRE leads Cook, Cycle, Feast tours (including Rolling Gnocchi), which can be tailored to groups. myrtlefordcycle.com/tours KING VALLEY BALLOON FLIGHT floats you from Brown Brothers over a waking valley. brownbrothers.com.au SKADI ADVENTURES’ Mt Buller Hiking & Biking Experience runs in conjunction with All Terrain Cycles. skadiadventures.com.au TRAILS,TALES AND TUCKER is an easy Bogong High Plains stroll to huts and lunch. trailstalesandtucker.com