This was published 12 years ago
Bright Bliss, review: Sleek treats and fungi feasts
Dazzling ... Bright Bliss, which opened in December.
After a hard day's foraging, Sue Wallace retreats to comfort and bliss.
High pitched squeals pierce the silence and we know without a doubt our friend has struck mushroom gold.
We follow the cries and discover her standing in front of a patch of brown slippery jacks recognisable by their slimy brown caps and yellow spongy gills.
Dressed in warm gear and gumboots, we are out early foraging for fungi roadside near Bright, a popular tourist haven in north-east Victoria.
We tramp through dew-dampened grass looking for members of the mushroom kingdom - the easily identified saffron milk caps, wood blewits and slippery jacks. Following a steep path beside stands of pine trees, we too discover a rich bounty and fill our baskets with "treasures" that look almost too good to eat.
Brunch supplies purchased, we head to our home for the night - Bright Bliss, a new self-contained property that sits above the popular Murray to Mountain Rail Trail, close to the heart of Bright. Opened in December, the two-bedroom house has that squeaky clean "new" feel about it and a garden and trees in their infancy.
The galley kitchen is not only sleek; it is well equipped with everything needed to create a feast. Tempted as I am to chill out on the cream leather lounge beside the gas log fire heater, I prepare brunch instead - fresh mushrooms on artisan sourdough bread, which we enjoy in the sun-filled dining alcove.
An espresso machine is put to good use and then it's definitely time to test the leather couch, pull up the powder blue throw and watch a movie on the big screen television. For fear of being labelled a couch lizard, I later venture to the deck and watch the ever passing parade of keen cyclists pedalling along the rail trail in the autumn sun below us.
Conveniently placed striped deck chairs enable us to enjoy views overlooking Bright, which is ablaze with autumn colours of bright red, orange and gold.
Deciding to eat out for dinner we take an easy walk into the centre of town to the much-awarded Simone's where Patrizia Simone and her son Anthony reign supreme with their Italian-style take on fresh regional produce.
Next morning we are up early cycling the rail trail at the foot of the Victorian Alps and return exhausted after a 15-kilometre ride.
I sink into the freestanding spa bath in the spacious tiled bathroom, which also has a separate shower and a concealed laundry alcove with washing machine and dryer.
Bright Bliss is well named - even after a short stay you feel relaxed. It has every comfort, lots of light-filled rooms, polished timber floors and that home away from home feel. There are supplies of quality tea, coffee and welcome treats as well as quality bathroom products.
The two bedrooms are decorated with vibrant rose prints and extremely comfortable king-sized beds, which in one bedroom can be split into two singles.
Quality bed linen has been selected and there is lots of hanging space in the built-in robes.
Before we leave the town we head to Delany Avenue, which is one of Bright's most visited streets, attracting sightseers marvelling at the vivid autumnal spectacle.
There's another side to Bright - it is somewhat of an adrenalin junkie's paradise with tandem microlighting, scenic flights, helicopter rides and abseiling on offer, but at this time of the year I get my kicks from mushrooming and fungi feasts.
VISITORS BOOK
Bright Bliss
Address 1A Blue Wren Close, Bright.
Phone 0407 614 232; see brightbliss.com.au.
Cost One bedroom for two is $275 a night on weekdays and $295 a night at weekends. Extra tariff applies in peak periods and for the second bedroom.
Getting there Bright is a three-hour drive north of Melbourne on the Hume Freeway. Turn on to the Great Alpine Road to Bright or take the gourmet food and wine route through Milawa.
Summary Bliss out in comfort in Bright's autumn glory or at any time of the year. Ideal for families or couples.
Verdict 18
The score: 19-20 excellent; 17-18 great; 15-16 good; 13-14 comfortable.
All weekends away are conducted anonymously and paid for by Traveller.
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