About Footscray

Footscray is a Suburb located 5km west of Melbourne, Australia. Its local government is the City of Maribyrnong. The area around Footscray was originally home to the Woimurrung and Boonwurrung tribes of the Kulin nation for over 40,000 years. At that time it was at the confluence of the rivers now known as the Maribyrnong and the Yarra. Between 1881 and 1891 Footscray's population more than tripled from almost 6,000 to 19,000. Footscray developed into an industrial zone in the second half of the nineteenth century, with the manufacturing industry beginning to decline in the 1960s and 1970s.

With its rich multicultural history, Footscray offers some of the most authentic ethnic cuisines in Melbourne, with over 130 multicultural restaurants in Footscray there is plenty of choice to choose from. The Footscray Market is well known for its affordable fresh produce and seafood, with 33 food stalls and 50 general stalls, catering particularly to the various ethnicities and local restaurants. It is located directly opposite Footscray railway station. Another great market is the Little Saigon Market which provides an energizing Asian market shopping experience. There’s a huge range of produce with some stalls offering tasting plates of freshly cut fruit. It is a great place for exotic items, fresh meat and fish along with a wide variety of cheap fruit and veg. Open 7 days.

Footscray is 6km from the Melbourne CBD. Footscray has a great transport system including the convenience of train lines, bus lines and trams all close by. Footscray train station has six platforms which are serviced by Metro Trains, Sunbury, Werribee and Williamstown services and V/Line Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong. Footscray has its own tram which runs from Moonee Ponds to Footscray via Highpoint Shopping Centre, and dozens of buses run throughout Footscray. Check the PTV journey planner to find your route. For a scenic cycling route, follow the Maribyrnong River Trail from Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus. The Maribyrnong River Trail provides great views of the Port of Melbourne in action from across the river. If you are cycling to or from the city, the Westgate punt crosses the river from outside Scienceworks in Spotswood and lands across the Yarra at Westgate Park in Fisherman’s Bend.

There are a wide variety of Kindergartens, Primary and Secondary schools along with tertiary education including both Victoria University Campuses being situated in Footscray all nearby transport. There are many health care alternatives in Footscray including the main Western health Footscray hospital which is located on Gordon Street which is also easily accessible by transport.

Visitors from across Victoria are attracted to Footscray’s unique festivals and events. Footscray’s most popular event, East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival is a colourful street festival that celebrates the Vietnamese and Chinese New Year. For over twelve hours, central Footscray buzzes with cultural performances, demonstrations, traditional lion dances, hawker food and carnival rides. Many activities and events take part in Footscray and the surrounding suburbs. To check what’s happening and to keep up to date with upcoming events refer to the Maribyrnong city councils website for further information.