Weekend Away: Bright, The Evening Star review.

The Evening Star, near Bright.

Mary O'Brien finds a warm welcome at the Evening Star in Bright.

THE SETTING

The Evening Star is at Wandiligong, Bright, a lively alpine town and a great launching point for exploring the north-east or heading up to the snow. Five minutes out of town is Wandiligong, a tiny historic goldmining settlement with prettily painted houses, a traditional pub and a hedge maze.

THE SPACE

The Evening Star is one of the cutest houses on Morses Creek Road. We pull in as the sun is setting, just in time to see the last rays dip behind the mountains. Perched over a creek, the living room's huge windows make the most of the scenery. A large wrap-around deck with comfortable seating and a swing would be lovely in summer.

THE KIT

The house has every modern comfort that you can think of. A large plasma TV, DVDs, full-size oven, board games (we get caught in long games of Monopoly), microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and barbecue cover all bases.

COMFORT FACTOR

The manager promised this place was warm (I'm a winter wuss) and she wasn't kidding. A gas fire is a cheat's way to enjoy the romance of winter while great heating (two reverse-cycle units and four efficient electric heaters) keeps the house toasty. A solid comfy king-size bed is fun to loll around in. A deck off the main bedroom is an added bonus. We love the bath salts from the Butter Factory in Myrtleford and the spa bath with a view of the mountain.

FOOD

This self-contained cottage is better equipped than my own kitchen. There's a coffee machine with choice of coffee capsules or bring your own beans and use the plunger. It's lovely to see a range of quality brews for tea drinkers and two pretty teapots.

A bottle of Feathertop shiraz (Boynton's winery is worth visiting) with two glasses is a nice welcoming touch. Breakfast provisions are restricted to muesli portions and long-life milk. If you want to spend time in the kitchen you can draft in the aid of a mixer and many, many pots and pans (not for me though!).

WORTH STEPPING OUT FOR

Bright, just down the road, has lovely walks by the meandering Ovens river. You won't go hungry here with some gourmet spots. Simone's, run by Patrizia and son Anthony, has been on the radar for more than two decades but it's hot at the moment. The Bright Brewery is a smart place with tasty food and great beers. We enjoyed our coffee and cakes at Coral Lee with its quirky vintage fitout and lovely lady in charge. Tani Eat & Drink is a good Japanese place but closes for July-August as its owners move to their Dinner Plain restaurant. Thirteen Steps is a newish cosy downstairs option.

HOW TO GET THERE

Bright is about a 3½-hour drive from Melbourne, off the Hume Freeway. Wandiligong is five minutes' drive from Bright.

ESSENTIALS

The Evening Star, 508 Morses Creek Road, Wandiligong, Bright. From $250 a night per couple midweek, extra adults from $30 a night, two-night weekend from $570 (two bedrooms with a double and a king-size bed, two bathrooms. Bookings [e-mail] or 0447 441 990; see theeveningstar.com.au.