Melbourne/Western suburbs - suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Western suburbs of Melbourne include the areas of Airport West, Caroline Springs, Essendon, Kensington, Flemington, Footscray, Keilor, Melton, Point Cook, Sunshine, Sydenham, Werribee, Williamstown and Yarraville. Many of these suburbs will hold no interest for travellers but a few such as Footscray and Yarraville attract tourists for their restaurants and bars, while Flemington and Moonee Ponds may attract tourists for special events such as horseracing.

Understand

• Footscray, -37.798°, 144.899°. Formerly known as a dodgy working-class suburb with large numbers of recently-arrived immigrants, Footscray has reinvented itself. It is well worth a visit, especially if you want to eat well for cheap. It is home to the famous Footscray Market, and many restaurants serving delicious and inexpensive Asian and African cuisine. Footscray is increasingly known for its riverside parks, low-key bars and entertainment.
• Moonee Ponds, -37.765°, 144.92°. The heart of Melbourne's comfortable suburbia, Moonee Ponds is the home of Barry Humphries' character Mrs (later Dame) Edna Everage. The local racecourse is one of Melbourne's Big Three, along with Caulfield and Flemington. With a variety of cafes and restaurants, there is enough here to capture the attention of a traveller for an afternoon. 2020-09-18
• Yarraville, -37.817°, 144.89°. An inner suburb with a quaint village atmosphere, known for its restaurants and nightlife. A visit to the historic Sun Theatre is a must. 2020-09-17
• Wyndham, -37.9°, 144.666667°. A region and local council in the outer suburbs Melbourne. It is south-west of the Melbourne CBD. Wyndham comprises a number of suburbs and towns. The seat of the council and primary settlement is Werribee, which holds the largest number of attractions and services. Point Cook, Werribee South, Hoppers Crossing and Wyndham Vale are other significant suburbs in the area. Wyndham is the third fastest growing area in Australia.
• Hobsons Bay, -37.85°, 144.833333°. A seaside area to the immediate south-west of Melbourne's city centre.
  • Williamstown, -37.861°, 144.885°. The main tourist town in Hobsons Bay, a suburb steeped in an impressive history. The town was founded in 1835, before Melbourne, and served as the city's main harbour until the turn of the century. Today, it's a popular seaside suburb with a nautical feel, home to a number of both historic and modern ships and more fish and chip shops than you could wish for!
  • Spotswood, -37.831°, 144.887°. Another major tourist hub, home to the interactive Scienceworks museum, which sits along its foreshore.
  • Newport, -37.842°, 144.884°. The area's bustling administrative centre
  • Altona, -37.868°, 144.83°. Another seaside suburb, and the home town of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Get in

Footscray

• Footscray Station, -37.8016°, 144.9024°. The station can be easily reached from Southern Cross Station (on weekday mornings and weekends) or any City Loop station (on weekday afternoons) (in Melbourne's CBD) on the Werribee, Williamstown and Sunbury lines. If the train is not travelling via the City Loop, it is only a 6-minute train ride and most trains run express through the station before it, South Kensington.

A number of frequent bus routes also operate from the CBD to Footscray. The 402 operates every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends from St Vincents Plaza through the inner-north suburb of Carlton to Footscray. The 220 also operates through Queen Street from Gardenvale to Sunshine via Footscray, operating every 15 minutes on weekdays.

While Footscray is not connected directly to the city by tram, the route 82 from Leeds Street, 150 m from the train station, runs to the Moonee Ponds bus and tram interchange on Mount Alexander Road, which connects with trams to the city and north-western suburbs, with buses that run to the north-west and cut across the northern suburbs.

Hobsons Bay

By train

The Werribee railway line terminates at Werribee, with trains direct from the city. A number of other Werribee suburbs also have stations along the line. Check Public Transport Victoria for the latest timetables and service information.

Some regional V/Line trains from Geelong will also stop at Werribee.

By bus

The Werribee Park Shuttle (dead link: January 2023) leaves from the National Gallery of Victoria in the city, and travels to many Wyndham sights and attractions; the stops are the Werribee Open Range Zoo, Victorian State Rose Garden, Shadowfax Winery, Mansion Hotel, Werribee Mansion and the RAAF Museum.

The bus departs at 9:30AM (arrive by at least 9:20AM) and returns mid-afternoon. Bookings are necessary. Adults cost $25, 10-14 years $20, 4-9 years $15 and under 4 years are free.

By road

The Princes Freeway conveniently connects most Wyndham suburbs to the city centre and Geelong. For the Werribee town centre, get off at the Duncans Road exit and turn right, about 30 minutes from the city.

Moonee Ponds

• Moonee Ponds Junction, -37.7667°, 144.9248°. The Moonee Ponds tram and bus interchange is at the intersection of Mount Alexander Road, Ascot Vale Road and Pascoe Vale Road. The route 59 tram stops there, heading south to the city and north to Essendon and Airport West. The 82 tram terminates there, connecting Moonee Ponds and Footscray. Buses from the interchange connect Moonee Ponds to the northern suburbs, to north-western suburbs past Essendon, and to Footscray and Williamstown.
• Moonee Ponds Railway Station, -37.7659°, 144.9194°. On the Craigieburn line, it has trains to and from the city every 20 minutes.

Wyndham

By train

• Werribee railway station, -37.8994°, 144.6611°. The Werribee railway line terminates at Werribee, with trains direct from the city. A number of other Werribee suburbs also have stations along the line. Check Public Transport Victoria for the latest timetables and service information.

By bus

The Werribee Park Shuttle (dead link: January 2023) leaves from the National Gallery of Victoria in the city, and travels to many Wyndham sights and attractions; the stops are the Werribee Open Range Zoo, Victorian State Rose Garden, Shadowfax Winery, Mansion Hotel, Werribee Mansion and the RAAF Museum.

The bus departs at 9:30AM (arrive by at least 9:20AM) and returns mid-afternoon. Bookings are necessary. Adults cost $25, 10-14 years $20, 4-9 years $15 and under 4 years are free.

By road

The Princes Freeway conveniently connects most Wyndham suburbs to the city centre and Geelong. For the Werribee town centre, get off at the Duncans Road exit-ramp and turn right, about 30 minutes from the city.

See

• Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland Street, -37.80304896795576°, 144.90697538852876°. Non-stop art exhibitions and an endless list of music gigs and theatre shows. In summer outdoor film screenings take place on the banks of the Maribyrnong River. 2016-09-25
• VU at MetroWest, 138 Nicholson Street, -37.800308°, 144.899348°, +61 3 9919 7043, metrowest@vu.edu.au. M-F 9AM-5PM. A community art space run by Victoria University, whose main Footscray campus is a bit further south along Nicholson Street. Features community and student exhibitions. Free 2016-09-25
• Trocadero Art Space, Level 1, 119 Hopkins Street, -37.79999432537994°, 144.90083268286043°. W-Sa noon-5PM. Small art gallery upstairs. Click through to their website to see examples from current exhibitions. Free 2016-09-26
• Five Walls, +61421706205 - 0421706205, e.info@fivewalls.com.au. W-Sa noon-5PM. Artist-run art space in the same place as Trocadero (above) Free 2016-09-26
• K Road Cliffs, K Road, Werribee. An interesting cliff-face that overlooks the Werribee River, near the golf course. It's possible to launch canoes from the site along the river.
• Moonee Ponds Courthouse Museum, Corner Mount Alexander Road and Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds, -37.764521130990055°, 144.92403021453217°, esshissoc@mail.com. Closed. The former Moonee Ponds Courthouse housed a museum of the local area, run by the Essendon Historical Society. In June 2016, a fire damaged the building and the collection. Restoration is happening, but the museum remains closed until further notice. 2016-09-27
• Incinerator Gallery, 180 Holmes Rd, Moonee Ponds (catch the 82 tram from Moonee Ponds interchange to Stop 41 at Maribyrnong Park; walk north along the river then turn right into Holmes Street; walk a minute or two along Holmes Street until you reach the gallery, opposite a lawn bowls club), -37.764617731821865°, 144.9033237173869°, +61 3 8325 1750, incinerator@mvcc.vic.gov.au. Tu-Su 11AM-4PM. Interesting gallery with exhibitions, art history talks, adult art courses, and workshops. Free 2016-09-27
• RAAF Museum, RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook Rd, Point Cook, -37.9305°, 144.749°, +613 8348 6300, RAAF.MuseumInfo@defence.gov.au. Tu-F 10AM-3PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM. The air-force base is still used for flying and training. Houses authentic aircraft in hangars, as well as numerous exhibitions and displays. Conducts free tours of the museum during weekdays. There are also options for pay joy-rides in old military aircraft. Free
• Queens Park, Corner Mount Alexander Road and Kellaway Road, Moonee Ponds, -37.76144439785166°, 144.92395377158454°. A place to spend a relaxing day. There's a rose garden, a sunken garden, a lake, a cafe, and a 50-m pool open from November to March ($5.70 pool entry). Monuments include a cenotaph remembering Australia's dead in World War One, and a cairn marking the spot where the doomed Burke and Wills expedition camped on its first night heading out of Melbourne in 1860. There's a children's playground and an island rotunda, and if you follow the website link there's a brochure for a free self-guided local heritage walk starting and ending at the park. 2016-09-27
• Werribee Mansion, Gate 2, K Road, Werribee, -37.93057°, 144.67092°, +613 8734 5100, bookingswerribee@parks.vic.gov.au. Nov-Apr: daily 10AM-5:30PM; May-Oct: M-F 10AM-4PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM. An Italianate mansion from the 1870s, built by famous Scottish landlords Thomas and Andrew Chirnside. The building and its 60 rooms have been restored, and an audio tour is available. A café is available nearby. Paid tours depart Su-F at 11:30AM. Adult: $7, student/concession/child: $5, family (two adults and two children): $22
• Werribee Historical Museum, Cnr Watton St & Duncans Rd, Werribee, +613 9749 2713. Sa 10AM-1PM, Tu 10AM-3PM. Houses a collection of artefacts, documents, maps and photos relating to the Werribee area's history.
• Werribee Park, K Road, Werribee, -37.9311°, 144.67°. A 10-acre park that used to be pastoral farmland. Includes fruit orchards, flower gardens, sculptures and wide open spaces. Contains many attractions, including Werribee Mansion and Zoo. Free
• Victoria State Rose Garden, Gate 2, K Road, Werribee, -37.92848°, 144.67430°, info@vicstaterosegarden.com.au. Daily 9AM-5:30PM. Winner of a global award for excellence, the gardens contain 5,000 roses in four interesting shapes. Roses look best from November to April. Free

Do

• Werribee Open Range Zoo, K Rd (take Werribee Sth exit from Princes Freeway), -37.9229°, 144.667°. Daily (including Christmas Day and all public holidays) 9AM-5PM, entry closes at 3:30PM. Sa Su during Jan-Feb open till 9PM. Safari bus tours (50 minute) begin 10:30AM-3:40PM (Jan Feb: Sa Su until 7:40PM). An open range park with animals from the grasslands of Africa, Asia, North America and Australia. $24.80 adult, $12.40 4-15 years
• Moonee Valley Racecourse, McPherson Street, Moonee Ponds, -37.766787780828416°, 144.92732262609854°, customerservice@mvrc.net.au. See website for race meeting dates and times. One of Melbourne's Big Three horse racing venues, there are several race meetings a month in the busy season from September to March. The famous Cox Plate weight-for-age race is run here in late October each year Most general admission tickets $20, GA for Cox Plate $55 2016-09-27
• Moonee Ponds Clocktower Centre, 750 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds, -37.765689450291354°, 144.92477989196433°, +61 3 9243 9191, enquiries@clocktowercentre.com.au. Performing arts centre including drama, dance, music performances and movie screenings. 2016-09-27

Buy

Downtown Footscray has a great community feel, with a dozen streets filled with small businesses. As well as the listings below, Footscray has a number of interesting shops selling traditional African clothing, art and hair products.

While far from being one of Melbourne's shopping destinations, Footscray houses two large markets:

• Footscray Market, 18 Irving Street, -37.801039869435485°, 144.90194758772685°, +61 3 9687 1205, footscraymarket@bigpond.com. Tu W 7AM-4PM, Th 7AM-6PM, F 7AM-7PM, Sa 7AM-5PM; closed Su M. Footscray Market is a fresh produce, meat, poultry and seafood market, catering particularly to the various ethnicities and local restaurants. There's also eateries, nut and coffee stalls, tobacconists and a few variety shops. It has the reputation as one of the cheapest places in Melbourne to shop so if you're cooking for yourself it's definitely worth a look. Or just wander around and enjoy the sights and sounds of business going on around you. 2016-09-25
• Konjo African Craft, 87 Irving Street, -37.802168°, 144.898056°, +61 3 9689 8185. Store selling Ethiopian food and crafts: spices, flours, raw and roasted coffee, pots, wood craft, clothing and jewellery. Also has a cafe. 2016-09-26
• Pacific Werribee (formally Werribee Plaza), -37.8752°, 144.6797°. A variety of specialty item stores including mens and ladies fashion, banks, beauty and food stores. Has over 150 stores including a 10-screen cinema.
• Bharat Traders, 580 Barkly St West Footscray, -37.79723°, 144.87710°, +61396876071. 10AM-9PM daily. A go-to shop for Indian ingredients, spices, food, homewares and other accoutrements. 2022-11-17

Eat

The inner western suburbs, in particular Footscray and Flemington, are emerging as major players on Melbourne's food scene. In addition to a strong history of Vietnamese restaurants and noodle shops, particularly on Hopkins Street in Footscray, the inner west is emerging as Melbourne's African (Ethiopian in particular) food hub. Ethiopian cuisine, despite the tired old jokes, is an increasingly popular niche in the West due to its combination of approachability and uniqueness; the food is characterized by stews and curries, many vegetarian or vegan, eaten with a slightly sour flatbread known as injera. The many Ethiopian options available throughout western Melbourne are universally inexpensive, generously portioned, and tasty. Many are buffets, all have extensive vegetarian/vegan options, and some are exclusively vegan.

• Cafe Lalibela, 91 Irving Street, -37.802130257219154°, 144.89798730611832°, +61 3 9687 0300. Daily 11AM-10PM. Probably the best Ethiopian cuisine in the area, and not a main course over $12. Served in the traditional custom of sharing, the food is poured on layers of injera (flat, sour bread) covering one big plate to be shared by all at the table.
• African Town Cafe, 161 Nicholson Street, -37.80204548517719°, 144.899298906324°, +61 3 9689 9660. More Ethiopian cuisine, while local regulars pop in and out for a chat over excellent $2 Ethiopian coffee. All main courses $10.
• Ras Dashen, 121 Nicholson Street, -37.80006073199611°, 144.8996382057381°, +61 3 9687 3293. M-F 11:30AM-8:30PM, Sa Su 12:30PM- 8:30PM. A whole baked fish for $13, beans and egg in a mild stew for $8, nice dark "Amber Beer" from Ethiopia like a porter or mild stout. 2016-09-25
• Dumplings and More, 96 Hopkins Street, -37.799929331611544°, 144.90202537176037°, +61 3 3 9689 2165. Daily 11AM-9:30PM. Great entrees. The main courses not particularly cheap, but the entrees and dumplings are dirt cheap. 2016-09-25
• Konjo Cafe Footscray, 87 Irving Street, +61 3 3 9689 8185. M-Sa 8:30AM-4:30PM, Su 9:30AM-4:30PM. Same location as Konjo African Craft in the "Buy" section above. Features a $15 all-you-can-eat buffet lunch W-Sa (vegan on W and Th). 2016-09-26
• Breizoz, 139 Nelson Pl, +61 3 93972300. This French crêperie is so authentic that even the waitstaff are all natives. In addition to sweet crepes and tart Brittany cider, they offer savoury galettes with an array of toppings; for something different, try the boudin noir (blood sausage) with apple sauce. The building itself is worth a tour, as it was built as Williamstown's first church and then converted into a bank before being repurposed as a restaurant.
• Bar Thyme, 227 Barkly St Footscray, -37.79957°, 144.89674°. W-Sa 5-11PM, Su 1-10PM. Outstanding slightly fancy French fusion food with a romantic ambience. You'd never guess you were in Footscray. 2022-11-16
• Kariton Sorbetes, 50 Leeds St Footscray, -37.80127°, 144.90082°. Filipino gelato with ever-changing, outlandish, delicious flavours. Once you try it, you'll wonder why they haven't taken over the world yet. They do take-away treats too. Worth waiting in line for. 2022-11-16
• Harley & Rose, 572 Barkly St West Footscray, -37.79731°, 144.87783°. WeFo's finest wood-fired pizza place. Unpretentious and delicious, good for families. Dining out front, inside and in courtyard. 2022-11-16
• Ollie's Deli, Shop 7/158 Barkly St, Footscray, -37.79943°, 144.89927°, +61391347995. M-F 8AM-3PM, Sa Su 9:30AM-3PM. If you're ever in Footscray and feel like a gourmet sandwich that isn't a Banh Mi, this place is for you. They're so big you can easily share them, particularly the chicken schnitty and reuben sangers. Huge sandwiches $17 2022-11-16
• Cafe Sunshine (Salamatea كافه سلامتى), 21 Dickson St Sunshine, +61476038689. Daily 9AM-4PM, and F-Su 5:30-10PM. When the airport rail link is built through Sunshine, more tourists will have a reason to experience this suburb. This is a nice cafe with great coffee, food and service. It is particularly known for its Persian food. This cafe is also a social organisation which employs and trains people of refugee backgrounds. 2022-11-17
• Goje, 38 Anderson St, Yarraville, -37.81648°, 144.89021°, +61396875264. Su-Th 2-9:30PM, F Sa 2-10PM. Popular plant-based DIY frozen yoghurt place in the middle of the lively Yarraville restaurant and shopping strip. If coming by car, park a few streets away. Weigh-and-pay. Around $5 a serving if you don't go crazy - but it is hard not to! 2022-11-17
• Laksa King, 6-12 Pin Oak Cres, Flemington (near Newmarket Station), -37.78784°, 144.92961°, +61393726383. 11:30AM-2:45PM & 5-20:30PM daily. Supremely busy laksa place in the lively Newmarket shopping strip. Discount if paying by cash. Most laksas $12 2022-11-17

Drink

• The Station Hotel, 59 Napier St, -37.80454208992492°, 144.9015907318724°, +61 3 9810 0085. Daily 11AM to late. Footscray - Opposite the Town Hall. Casual bar, indoor and outdoor seating, coffee. One of the "Top five places to eat steak" as judged by _The Age_Good Food Guide Dining Companion 2010.
• Bar Josephine, 295 Barkly St Footscray, -37.79927°, 144.89432°. daily 1PM-1AM. Casual, cosy, tucked-away bar with interesting beers (including a beer lucky dip!) with board games and repurposed bus seats. 2022-11-16
• Mr West, 106 Nicholson St Mall Footscray, -37.80053°, 144.89927°. Bar (upstairs) and bottle shop (downstairs) with a humongous number of beers on tap, plus wine and fancy spirits. Order pizza from the place across the street using QR codes at your table, or BYO food. Seating out front or upstairs. You can choose from the larger bottle shop selection and drink there as well. 2022-11-16
• The Victoria Hotel, 43 Victoria St, Footscray (near Middle Footscray Station), -37.80218°, 144.89278°, +61383200315. M-Th 4-11PM, F-Su noon-midnight. Lovingly restored old pub with great food, dining areas inside, in courtyard, or outside. 2022-11-16
• Bonehead Brewing, 86 Parsons St Kensington, -37.79033°, 144.93507°, +61490334892. F 4-11PM, Sa 1-11PM, Su 1-10PM. On-site independent brewery with comfortable drinking area with open fireplace. There's usually food trucks out front. 2022-11-16
• Zymurgy, 561 Barkly St, West Footscray (Walking west along Barkly St from Footscray). F 4-9:30PM, Sa noon-9:30PM, Su noon-7PM. Hidden and underrated outdoor drinking and dining establishment in the popular West Footscray strip. Umbrella-covered picnic tables, play equipment, and indoor dining too. Food by Bluebonnet BBQ all summer 2022-3. 2022-11-16
• West Footscray Wines, 578 Barkly St West Footscray, -37.79725°, 144.87729°, +61370645859. Th - Sa 2-10PM, Su 2-7PM, W 2-9PM. As WeFo gentrifies, outstanding little wine bars like this one are now possible. Get the staff to recommend you a bottle. Charcuterie and nibbles also available. 2022-11-16
• Hop Nation Brewing, 6/107-109 Whitehall St, Footscray, -37.81005°, 144.90408°, +61450973644. Th 3-7PM, F 2-9PM, Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-6PM. A hidden brewery worth making a trip for. Easily reached by the bike and pedestrian Maribyrnong River Trail 2022-11-17
• Two Birds Brewing, 136 Hall St, Spotswood, -37.83473°, 144.88534°, +61397620000. W Th 4-10PM, F Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-8PM. Female-owned brewery with food. Makes a great stop if cycling along the river from Footscray to Williamstown. $10 2022-11-17

Sleep

• Plough Hotel, 333 Barkly Street (Corner Barkly St and Geelong Rd), -37.79919178962948°, 144.8928776979264°, +61 3 96872070. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Above a large pub. $120-165 per night 2016-09-26
• Bed and Breakfast at Stephanie's, 154-160 Fergsuon St (300 metres west of Williamstown Town Hall). Has B&B accommodation and self-contained accommodation. Great value romantic get-a-way with a good cooked breakfast and quiet and comfy rooms with ensuite. Whilst staying there you can use of their bikes, helmets and locks to explore the many waterfront bike paths at no charge.
• Mansion Hotel & Spa at Werribee Park, Gate 2, K Road, Werribee, -37.9304°, 144.6691°, +61 3 9731 4000. 2018-09-08

Stay safe

Although the western suburbs are gentrifying fast, they have long had a bad reputation in terms of crime. Now, the western suburbs are generally as safe as anywhere else in Melbourne. Use normal common-sense precautions as in any other large city. Drug users do tend to congregate in Footscray, especially near the station, but they won't bother you.

The inner west suffers from increasing road traffic and congestion. Use Google Maps to find bike lanes if you intend to cycle: new ones are popping up constantly.

Connect

• Maribyrnong City Council, 61 Napier Street, Footscray, 37.8046°, 144.9006°, +613 9688 0200, email@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au. M-F 8:30AM-5PM.