Holiday houses in Footscray

On the western outskirts of Melbourne, Footscray is a haven for foodies. Over the years the suburb has been a landing place for people from Vietnam, Italy, Ethiopia, Greece, and China, and the cuisines of these cultures loom large in the local eateries. This rich diversity and an active arts and culture scene attract Melbourne’s trend-setting crowd who beeline to Footscray Market to shop for specialty spices and local produce, admire art from emerging local talent, and catch up with friends in a pub, listening to live music. As you wander past 19th-century red-brick industrial buildings and shops adorned with colourful street art, soak up the creative vibe and learn about the history of Footscray and its multicultural heritage — in between snacking on bahn mi, cannoli, and roti canai.

Summer is the hottest season in Footscray, although the weather remains fairly mild all year round. During the summer, the Footscray Community Arts Centre offers a jam-packed schedule of events, including live music, immersive exhibits, art installations, and food markets. Come in autumn or spring for good weather, fewer visitors, and more space to explore. This part of Australia has an oceanic climate, meaning that while it never gets too cold and you can expect a generous amount of sun most days, there is likely to be rainfall during all months of the year; an umbrella is a wise addition to your luggage. Regardless of when you choose to visit, the area’s main draws of restaurants, markets, art, and nightlife are four-season friendly.

Footscray Market

Footscray Market is an always-buzzing representation of the city’s diverse population and cuisines. Weave through stalls where vendors sell everything from tripe to scallops still in the shell to sawtooth coriander, and locals vie for the pick of the produce. Grab some new-to-you ingredients to get creative in the kitchen and cook up an authentic Footscray feast.

Footscray Community Arts Centre

Footscray Community Arts Centre is a multi-disciplinary art and culture space showing off the works of local and international artists and up-and-comers as well as established names. It also hosts regular film and concert series highlighting emerging local artists, alongside inclusive art workshops for people with disabilities.

Dining

This suburb’s multicultural heritage results in a vast array of dining options, from spongy Ethiopian injera to hearty meat pies and fiery pickled vegetables. Hopkins Street is home to Vietnamese coffee and Italian pastries galore, including some of the best cannolis around. When it comes to tipples, local bottle shops are plentiful, and there’s a local brewery that specializes in barrel-aged beer.