About Footscray
Footscray is a bustling suburb in Melbourne’s inner west
Footscray is full of exciting events and festivals, places to relax and experience nature, delicious and diverse food offerings and a thriving arts and culture scene.
With more than 135 different cultural communities living here, Footscray is renowned for its diversity which has fostered a vital street life like no other.
Things to do and see
Footscray and surrounding areas offer a wealth of events and activities all year round. From community events, classes, markets, fairs and exhibitions through to African and Asian street festivals to large scale, internationally renowned events, there’s something for everyone.
Footscray is home to some amazing open spaces, parks and gardens, including a tranquil wetland reserve that is home to dozens of bird species and other wildlife. Footscray Park is unique in the history of the inner city, and is home to one of the largest intact Edwardian Gardens in Australia; noted for its botanical collection, ornamental ponds and garden structures.
The picturesque Maribyrnong River borders Footscray on one side, with Flemington on the other and offers superb views of Melbourne city. The river has boatside facilities where one can launch a kayak or canoe or take a river cruise with commentary. Perfect for picnics, fishing, bike riding and walks through the well maintained footpaths. The Heavenly Queen Temple with its stunning 16 meter high statue is located next to the Maribyrnong River and is easily seen while on a leisurely walk.
Food and Drink
Footscray is a foodie’s haven; whether you’re in the mood for an Ethiopian coffee experience, South East Asian market shopping, fresh Italian cannoli or a juicy steak.
Once primarily a centre for southern European migrants, Footscray is also home to a significant Vietnamese community, Chinese, Indian, and increasingly, North African immigrants and their gastronomic traditions. Slurp a bowl of pho, get a masala dosa, tuck into traditional Ethiopian injera flat bread, enjoy hot jam doughnuts or garlicky lamb kebabs. Ever evolving, Footscray has seen its diversity extended by a “new wave” of hospitality venues offering anything from American style smoked meats and sandwiches, gourmet burgers, to Australian fusion foods with a focus on sustainability.
Arts & Entertainment
Footscray has gained a reputation for its thriving arts scene and large community of emerging, innovative artists. Get in on the action by crawling the different contemporary art galleries and public art installations, and spotting hidden street art and iconic large scale street murals.
Music and performance is very much a part of the arts scene, with a large range of offerings from African drumming in restaurants, to Shakespeare in the park, to independent acoustic music in small bars and standup comedy in pubs.
Shopping
Right alongside Footscray Station, the Footscray Market is a large bustling indoor market with a wide selection of fresh produce, seafood and general goods. You’ll also find an exotic range of produce including lotus flowers, pigs’ ears and cassava root. Renowned for vendors competing to lay claim to the freshest produce at the cheapest prices, the Market is paradise for foodies on a mission. Meat, seafood, fruit and veg, deli foods, clothing, household good and much more; the Footscray Market has it all.
Downtown Footscray has a vibrant and warm, community feel with streets filled with family owned businesses. You will find fascinating shops selling traditional African clothing, art and hair products as well as stores stuffed with interesting Asian imports such as herbs and spices, beautiful tea pots and homewares.
Services
Footscray is well serviced by many commercial and professional business from health or beauty professionals to mechanics, financial consultants, real estate agents, metal workers, architects, designers and co-working spaces.
Location and access
Footscray is a short 6k from the CBD and all trains stop at Footscray Station, only 3 stops from Southern Cross (in Melbourne’s CBD) on the Werribee, Williamstown, Sunbury and Watergardens lines. Many different bus routes service the area and the Moonee Ponds tram finishes in central Footscray near the train station.
A wide off-road bike path connects the Docklands to Footscray along Footscray Road and there are excellent bike routes from Williamstown to Essendon which travel through Footscray.
