Hamilton Hume and William Hovell explored the area in 1824, naming the Ovens River.

The town was first known as Morse's Creek after F.H. Morse but in 1861 it was renamed in honour of the British orator and politician John Bright.
The Post Office opened on 25 January 1860 as Morse's Creek and was renamed Bright in 1866.

During the Victorian gold rush there was a  rush to the nearby Buckland River.
 As the gold deposits gradually diminished, Chinese miners arrived in the area to sift the abandoned claims.
 Tensions over Chinese success from Anglo-Irish miners caused the violent Buckland Riot in 1857, resulting in deaths of Chinese miners and the fleeing of 2,000 Chinese.
 The riot was eventually quelled by the Beechworth  police under the command of Robert O'Hara Burke from 80 kilometres away.

Bright has a rich cultural heritage and many locations within the town along with street names can be traced to present day residents.
The Bright Historical Society has extensive records of the region's past.

The Bright Magistrates' Court closed on 1 January 1990.
Hamilton Hume and William Hovell explored the area in 1824, naming the Ovens River.
The town was first known as Morse's Creek after F.H. Morse but in 1861 it was renamed in honour of the British orator and politician John Bright. The Post Office opened on 25 January 1860 as Morse's Creek and was renamed Bright in 1866.
During the Victorian gold rush there was a  rush to the nearby Buckland River.  As the gold deposits gradually diminished, Chinese miners arrived in the area to sift the abandoned claims.  Tensions over Chinese success from Anglo-Irish miners caused the violent Buckland Riot in 1857, resulting in deaths of Chinese miners and the fleeing of 2,000 Chinese.  The riot was eventually quelled by the Beechworth  police under the command of Robert O'Hara Burke from 80 kilometres away.
Bright has a rich cultural heritage and many locations within the town along with street names can be traced to present day residents. The Bright Historical Society has extensive records of the region's past.
The Bright Magistrates' Court closed on 1 January 1990.
Bright, Victoria