Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site.

Doing good.

Making a positive difference is at the heart of what we do.

22 January 2021

Cotton On X Empty Esky: Exploring Bright, VIC

From hot air ballooning at sunrise to fresh-baked Cruffins at the Milawa Kitchen, picture-perfect Bright is a road trip worthy of your ‘gram feed.

Cotton On X Empty Esky:
Three days from Bright to King Valley, VIC

Hidden at the base of the Victorian Alps, the scenic town of Bright looks straight off a postcard. A road trip must, you’ll easily fill your days wandering the locally-owned shops or rock-hopping at the base of waterfalls. If food and wine is on your mind, the nearby towns of King Valley and Milawa have menus filled with locally grown produce, hand-crafted wine and pastries worthy of your ‘gram feed.

We headed to north-east Victoria with Empty Esky founders Erin and Elle, and friends Darcy and Lucy, to fill our eskies and experience all that Bright has to offer.

Day one

Snacks are packed and the playlist has been picked. Melbourne to Bright drive time: 3.5hrs.
First stop: Lunch (of course) at The Chicken Shop in Bright for seriously good fries.
Wouldn’t be a summer road trip without ice cream from Bright Ice Creamery.
A visit to Ladies Bath Falls for a swim in the crystal clear rock pools.
Lancemore Hotel, Milawa. The vineyard views are not to be missed (!!)
For dinner, it’s Asian fusion meets Aussie classics at Dock 5, Wangaratta.

“The Ladies Bath Falls in Bright were absolutely incredible. Just amazing.”

— Elle

Day two

Have you ever seen a sunrise from 2500ft? Hot air ballooning with GoldRush Ballooning is a once in a lifetime experience.
Get your caffeine fix overlooking the grape vines with a breakfast spread at Lancemore Hotel.
Post-breakfast, a morning swim is a must. Just wait until you see views from the pool.
For hand-crafted wine and fresh food picked straight from the garden, head to Brown Brothers. This family-owned winery produced their first bottle of wine in 1889 (!!)
Finish the night in style, glamping under the stars with a King Valley Glamping set up.

“My great grandfather started Brown Brothers back in 1885. It’s been a challenging year for many different reasons. Not having visitors has been the hardest part. We absolutely thrive having people come to site.”

— Emma Brown, Brown Brothers Winery

Day three

Book in breakfast at the Milawa Kitchen. With locally sourced ingredients and fresh-baked Cruffins, it’s the perfect way to start your day.
Explore Milawa’s finest foods with Pedal to Produce. From Milawa Cheese to Milawa Farm Gate Shop, you’ll be filling your bicycle baskets with goodies in no time.
Before you head home, stop in at the Sam Miranda King Valley winery. Be sure to enter via the subterranean tunnel for that extra wow-factor.

“We’ve had the most amazing time discovering the King Valley and Bright. If you’re looking for a getaway, we highly recommend the Victorian high country.”

— Erin

Cotton On is proud to partner with Empty Esky to help bushfire-affected communities get back on their feet.