Melbourne has plenty of rags-to-riches tales when it comes to its neighbourhoods. Perhaps the most surprising turnaround has been at the foot of the West Gate Bridge.
The traditionally working-class Footscray long had a reputation for being one of Melbourne’s more unsavoury suburbs. However, a decade of investment and rapid development in the area has seen its fortunes change dramatically. Footscray is now regularly listed by experts as one of Melbourne’s most liveable suburbs — and it’s still relatively affordable. Add to the mix its excellent restaurants and bars, booming arts scene and diverse multicultural identity, and you’ve got all the makings of one of Melbourne’s best places to live.
Melbourne has plenty of rags-to-riches tales when it comes to its neighbourhoods. Perhaps the most surprising turnaround has been at the foot of the West Gate Bridge.
That most famous of Footscray mascots, the bulldog, came about purely by chance. Footscray’s footy team went by a variety of nicknames following their admission to the VFA in 1886, but a 1928 game at Western (now Whitten) Oval against Collingwood changed all that when a rogue bulldog ran onto the field and accidentally led the players out on the ground. The home crowd went into raptures — and thus the nickname, and the mascot, were born.
The greater Footscray area is currently serviced by three train stations, as well as several bus and tram routes. Melbourne’s new public transport developments will see Footscray become the gateway to the west in the coming years, with a regular airport rail service cutting travel time to Tullamarine to 18 minutes and new services establishing easy connections to the regional hubs of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
A vibrant, multicultural lifestyle, charming period homes and a locale that’s just a stone’s throw from the city — it’s a wonder Footscray has remained so affordable. The median price ranges from $840,500 for houses to $445,000 for apartments. Check out NAB’s Property Report to learn more about this area, or use its handy Home Loan Calculator to find out how much you can borrow. Or, book an appointment here.
Footscray Market is, in many ways, the heart and soul of the suburb. The brutalist structure is a constant hive of activity, and offers an expansive range of fresh local produce, seafood, meat and Asian ingredients. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, the market is easily accessible by train, bus or tram.
Living in Footscray
Discover the spots that could become your new local favourites.
Cafes
Brunch in a shipping container or in a former wool factory? Restaurant locations are just as interesting as the food itself.
1. Rudimentary
2. Small Graces
3. Olive Oil & Butter
4. There - CLOSED
5. Konjo Ethiopian Restaurant & Craft
Restaurants
From family-style Ethiopian to an ultra-modern degustation, Footscray has just about any craving covered.
1. Navi
2. Roti Road
3. Harley & Rose
4. Cafe Lalibela
5. Station Hotel
Bars
Seemingly overnight, Footscray has become one of Melbourne's best spots to do a wine or cocktail bar crawl.
1. Trouble in Dreams - CLOSED
2. Lay Low
3. Mr West Bar & Bottleshop
4. Baby Snakes Bar
5. Back Alley Sally's
Shops
Sip coffee and browse secondhand vinyls, or explore a world of produce at one of Melbourne's best food markets.
1. Counterweight Vinyl & Espresso
2. Footscray Market
3. Post Industrial Design
4. T. Cavallaro & Sons
5. Two Faces Eyewear and Optometry
Culture and Leisure
Picturesque parks, community-run creative spaces, and one of Melbourne's finest movie theatres all share the spotlight here.
1. Footscray Community Arts Centre
2. Heavenly Queen Temple
3. Quarry Park
4. Sun Theatre Yarraville
5. Bulldogs Museum
Cheap Eats
No time to sit down? No worries — Footscray is home to some of Melbourne's best quick and cheap eats.
1. Pho Hung Vuong Saigon
2. Pie Thief
3. Slice Shop Pizza
4. Nhu Lan Bakery
5. 8bit - CLOSED
Living in Footscray
Discover the spots that could become your new local favourites.
CP's Picks
These are our favourite things to do in the area.
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Roti Road
Authentic Malaysian cooking in the heart of Footscray. -
Harry & Larry's
This fun general store sells fresh produce, fresh pasta, vegan condoms and Who Gives a Crap toilet paper. -
Zymurgy
Footscray's newest watering hole offers craft booze, innovative eats cooked over charcoal and sun-drenched beer gardens. -
Post Industrial Design
This design store is committed to sustainable local production, spanning furniture, jewellery and artwork.
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Top image: Harley & Rose, Giulia Morlando