Cherry Walk, Bright
Cherry Walk, Bright
This lovely loop walk follows the Ovens River upstream from the Bright township, crossing two bridges - turning back at the second. Nice views over the river and passing the Memorial Aboretum.
Summary
This lovely loop walk follows the Ovens River upstream from the Bright township, crossing two bridges - turning back at the second. Nice views over the river and passing the Memorial Aboretum.
Description
Starting from Howitt Park in Bright (the large wooden playground on the town side of the river), head east towards the Bright Splash Park where you will see signage pointing to the official start of the Cherry Walk.
Follow the track along the southern bank of the river past the Rotary Waterslide until you come to an open section near Hawthorn Lane. Turn left after the turnstile and cross the suspension bridge to the northern bank.
The walk continues along the north bank (which has some great views over the river.
Interpretive signs have been placed along the track at regular intervals. A comprehensive Landcare brochure detailing local flora corresponds with numbers found along the track and can be picked up from the Visitor Information Centre in town before you start.
This walk passes through some sections of drier eucalypt forest on the river's north bank, so expect to hear birdsong accompanying the delighful sounds of the river. Continue until you come to the Cherry Bridge, which is a second suspension bridge and your turnback point for this loop walk.
The Cherry family (originating from Ireland) had a farm just north of the river toward Germantown in the late 1800s. William Cherry, a first generation Australian, also supplied wood to gold mining dredges in Bright and Wandiligong. The Cherry Bridge was built to allow timber workers to cross the river.
As you head back towards Bright along the southern bank of the Ovens you'll pass some pine plantations, a caravan park and spy some lovely exotic trees near the Arboretum just before you arrive back at your start point.
10819 Views
Points of Interest
1. Howitt Park
This is a great playground, and nicely shaded. An easy place to begin your walk, with toilets nearby.
2. Bright Splash Park
Extremely popular in summer is the fantastic, free splash park on the north bank of the river just before you cross the Morses Creek bridge.
3. Cherry Walk track start
Just after you pass the diving board and cross the creek you'll find this marker for the official start of the Cherry Walk. Follow it in an east direction.
4. Rotary Waterslide
The slide is open every afternoon during the summer school holiday from Boxing Day onward, and on weekends until March. The slide is supervised by Rotarians and community volunteers. $1 per go!
5. Open area approaching first bridge
As you near the end of the residential area bordered by Hawthorn Lane you'll pass through an open grassy area. Pass through the small turnstile and head left over the river.
6. First suspension bridge
Cross to the north side of the river here .
7. Eucalypts along the river's edge
As you make your walk through Eucalypt woodlands look out for signage about the area's gold mining history and in summer you'll see people enjoying the river.
8. The Cherry Bridge
A bridge was built here originally so that timber workers could cross in the latter half of the 19th century. The Cherry family farm and a mill was to the north-east of this site.
9. Heading back to Bright
As you make your way along the southern bank towards Bright you will pass several pine plantations but there's a mix of native vegetation also.
10. Bright Memorial Arboretum
You're nearly back when you see the caravan park and some exotic trees as there is an arboretum on the banks near here. See link for details.
11. Public toilets and Lions Park
Just before you get back to Centenary Park and cross the Morses Creek bridge, pictured, you'll find some toilets located at the Lions Park carpark (Mountbatten Avenue).
Features
Playground
Picnic spot
Drinking water available
Seating available
Public toilets
Historical interest
Lake, creek, river
Park / Garden
