Footscray

Follow the fun to Footscray, a fascinating and ever-changing neighbourhood that balances a growing contemporary arts scene with a diversity of global cultures and cuisines.

World food

Once a centre for southern European migrants, these days Footscray is home to Chinese, Vietnamese and North African immigrants and their gastronomic traditions. Slurp a bowl of pho at a Vietnamese noodle house, grab a masala dosa near Victoria University, or tuck into traditional Ethiopian injera flat bread at Nicholson Street Mall.

The local brunch crowd makes its way to Rudimentary, Small Graces and Footscray Milking Station. For one of Melbourne's best steaks, stop at the Station Hotel; for burgers and barbecue, hit 8bit and Up in Smoke. Follow up with a craft brew at Hop Nation or a tidy tipple at Back Alley Sally's, Mr West or Bar Josephine.

Spice up your life

Locate international spices and ingredients at the bustling Footscray Market. Fresh fish, fruit and veg, a plentiful array of shops and sellers pack out this local favourite.

Off Hopkins Street, pay your respects to the Golden Heavenly Queen of Mazu at the Heavenly Queen Temple, the biggest Chinese temple in Australia.

Arts attack

Chances are you'll find yourself in Footscray on the trail of a highly anticipated arts event. The local creative scene is led by dynamic Footscray Community Arts Centre, situated on the banks of the Maribyrnong River. The precinct is host to theatre performances, workshops, a bar, cafe and gallery spaces.

Further upriver, opposite Flemington Racecourse, Footscray Park is the newest venue for the annual St Jerome's Laneway Festival, which draws established and newly hyped international music acts and local performers.

Other exciting and innovative arts organisations call Footscray home: catch a performance by Footscray's experimental theatre company Snuff Puppets at the Footscray Drill Hall, and explore contemporary art at Trocadero Art Space.

Big games and fireworks

Cheer on the legendary 'Dogs' – the Western Bulldogs Australian Football League team – at a training session at state-of-the-art Whitten Oval. Watch out for the fireworks at Chinese New Year and at the Tet Lunar Year Festival, a colourful Vietnamese celebration featuring dancing dragons, live music and food stalls.