Experience the unique charm of Mrs. Simpson at Norala Garden, a luxurious cottage nestled in the heart of Bright village, backing onto the Ovens River. Relax by the real fireplace with wood supplied or unwind on spacious verandahs and timber decking surrounded by renowned European-style gardens.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Mrs Simpson Cottage in Norala Garden
THE COTTAGE: This one of a kind private holiday cottage furnished with special things like our European antiques to enjoy a special ambiance. Open fireplace (slow combustion stove), books, CDs, TV/DVDs, complete cooking facilities incl. BBQ, spacious timber deck, a hot bath and ensuite; all these we trust will make your stay unforgettable!
HORTICULTURAL: Norala Garden is a BRIGHT OPEN GARDEN icon and was highly recommended on 3AW Big Backyard in 2014, featured on Gardening Australia and in The Garden Lovers Guide to Australia. Garden lovers will delight in the splendid renowned garden, established by Norma McGown and Alma Stanhope in the 1960s. Their landscaping story is local lore and the garden is a testament to their love of beautiful European landscaping with extensive English-style dry stone walling and terracing. Lovely Bakers' Gully runs through the property and normally provides great water feature to while away the time.
LOCATION-LOCATION-LOCATION: At 77 Gavan St, you have Bright's center at your doorstep, and can try award-winning restaurants without having to drive!
FLY FISHING: Personally crafted maps with up to date information about fishing hot spots and fly-patterns are provided. A sure-fire way, to catch a local, naturally spawned trout!
PEDALLING: A healthy and refreshing way to tour the region. This means you can sample the local wines and the region's best produce in style.
HOME GODDESS/KITCHEN KING: Hate having to buy the good oils and spices for dressing your meals on your weekend away? Our kitchen supply of olive oils will complete your gourmet meals, the oils you choose for cooking we leave up to you!
LUXURY COMFORTS: You can enjoy the creature comforts of an open fireplace with wood supplied. It will keep the cottage extra warm during those cool High Country nights.
The Cottage
Mrs. Simpson is a newly renovated cottage, and has been furnished with luxury linens from the USA, toiletries and a mixture of modern and antique European furniture.
Mrs. Simpson backs onto the Ovens River and is in the heart of Bright village.
The cottage is equipped with 2 bedrooms and sleeps a maximum of 4 guests: - 1st Bedroom with queen bed and attached private ensuite and toilet - 2nd Bedroom with king bed (can be made into 2 singles upon request for longer stays) - Bathroom with bath, shower and separate toilet - Spacious, modern living area with sofa, comfy chairs, TV/DVD, Bluetooth Sound System and CD player with CDs - Real fireplace (wood provided) - Open plan kitchen with all the modern trappings (oven, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer). Vinegars, fine oils and spices provided to dress up your salad. - Laundry with washing machine, dryer and plenty of hooks to hang up your waders or raincoats - Large verandahs and timber decking with comfortable chairs and tables for dining or afternoon drinks
The boring bits
PETS (neutered / spayed dogs) on arrangement.
PRICING and availability is always at the discretion of the owners. Upon booking we require a deposit. Complete payment and bond are due 2 weeks before arrival. Note that bookings through Stayz/Homeaway include fees that are payable to them that we do not control.
Cancellation - we fully refund a booking if cancellation is made 2 weeks prior to arrival. Between 2 weeks and arrival we will retain the deposit.
Due to heritage status of Norala Garden STRICTLY NO PARTIES
Mrs Simpson at Norala Garden is Non Smoking.
Unfortunately we cannot accept families with children under 8, and children have to be supervised by an adult along the creek at all times. This is because Norala Garden has direct and unfenced access to Baker's Gully, which is a seasonal creek that can flow strongly at times, and contains a few deeper pools.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach loungers
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Parking and transport
Car not required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Freezer
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Fireplace
Living room
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
CD player
DVD player
Games
Music library
Smart TV
Stereo
Video library
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
2 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No lift (single-level property)
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a village
In the city centre
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
On a river
Things to do
Golf
Snow sports gear
Birdwatching nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Hunting nearby
Kayaking nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Parasailing nearby
Swimming nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
If prior to your stay you have symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat please contact us to reschedule as we are flexible about cancellation.
Strictly no smoking property inside and out. That also applies to vaping.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: Children under 8 not allowed due to creek access
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
Frequently asked questions
Is Mrs Simpson Cottage in Norala Garden pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Mrs Simpson Cottage in Norala Garden?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Mrs Simpson Cottage in Norala Garden?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Mrs Simpson Cottage in Norala Garden?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Mrs Simpson Cottage in Norala Garden located?
Located in the heart of Bright, this cottage is within a 5-minute walk of Bright City Clock Tower and Centenary Park Streamside Reserve. Bright Visitors Centre and Canyon Walk are also within 10 minutes.
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Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Extremely charming house and phenomenal lush garden. Terrific location and excellent communication with hosts. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Highly recommend
Chrystal D.
Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Brian
10 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
great place to stay, close to shops restaurants.
owners very helpful with all questions asked
Talk about close to town! Stayed here for a short bike riding trip at Mount Mystic and had a great time. Plenty of firewood for the weekend and an overall nice bright (no pun intended) place to say. Thanks for having us.
Magical cottage on an incredible plot of land in the perfect location. Could not have asked for a better stay :)
Would happily come again!
J G.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jodie
12 Jul 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
My family (2 adults, 2 teenagers) had a lovely stay in the cottage. The ground are incredible and the location is perfect for walkability to all the sights of Bright.
We stayed here for our short weekend getaway in Beautiful Bright. The location was perfect, a stones throw away from the centre of town.
The home had everything one needs in a home with a wonderful warm and cozy feel. Will definitely stay again!
This was our third or fourth stay at this property, fair to say we love it. Beautiful home, full of character and very well equiped. Amazing gardens and just a couple of minutes walk into town. The hosts are very responsive and accomodating.
The home and the gardens were amazing the location was walking distance to center of the Bright
Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to stay in Bright
The garden at Mrs Simpsons Cottage was amazing to walk around. The cottage itself is warm, cozy and comfortable. We would recommend staying there in a heartbeat.
Our stay at Mrs Simpson cottage in Norala Garden was absolutely supberb. The cottage is welcoming, beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean.The gardens are magnificent. We loved wandering around them.
Definitely recommend this cottage.
Loved every minute of our mini holiday away from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne. The garden was calming and together with the CD player and classical music CDs, time drifted by. Great location, super comfy bed. Our kelpie, Stardust was very settled too. Thank you for sharing your property with us.
Mrs Simpson Cottage was a delight! The gardens are absolutely stunning with a running creek and fairy-like winding paths throughout! We loved using the fireplace at night as it made the cottage warm and cozy. Our dogs also loved their time at Mrs Simpson. Thanks again for sharing such a wonderful place!
Our second year of staying at this beautiful relaxing property, with a third year now booked. Beautiful and extensive gardens, perfectly placed near the heart of bright, and a particularly well equipped kitchen to allow you to indulge your culinary skills. The only missing ingredient to this property is Wi-Fi.
This delightful cottage and gardens exceeded all expectations. Communication with the hosts was warm and thoughtful.
Will definitely be back!
Thankyou Mike and Mette
We loved our stay at Mrs Simpson’s in Norala Gardens. The cottage is on spacious land with the most amazing garden which was all ours during our stay here. The garden was in bloom during our stay so the colour in the garden was stunning. The water that runs through the garden makes this place extra special and the bird life is an added treat. The cottage itself was very comfortable and relaxing and even though it is close to public spaces it is secluded and private. The fact that the cottage and garden are both dog friendly was a huge bonus. Our 2 senior dogs loved exploring the space and sun baking on the porch. The cottage is a very short walk to the Bright town centre which is filled with great food and shopping. We were very happy with our stay and will return.
Mrs. Simpson is perfectly positioned between the Canyon walk and the central shopping area and with the most wonderful garden. We were quite taken by the thought with which the kitchen was equipped with every item one would wish for one’s own home. As much firewood as one would want was supplied for the fireplace and, if that were not to keep one warm enough, an air-conditioner, oil heaters and electric blankets certainly do so. Wifi is not provided, but that was not a problem because I brought my own Starlink satellite receiver. We tried to re-book for the folowing year but, alas, it is too popular.