Experience the Best of the West
Welcome to The Weekend in Maribyrnong.
Just a few kilometres west of the CBD, there’s plenty to see, do and explore in the City of Maribyrnong. From heritage theatres and community arts to river trails, markets and new infrastructure, the west offers a rich mix of culture, creativity and discovery.
Start your morning off in the most delicious way possible — an eating tour of Footscray Market. Immerse yourself in the market’s vibrant energy and sample some of the incredible produce and street food on offer, then wander through Footscray’s laneways, street art and local shops.
Take a short walk across to the Footscray Town Hall and go behind the scenes in this reimagined civic landmark. Hear more about the building’s heritage and recent redevelopment, including new community spaces and civic green, before making your way to the banks of the Maribyrnong River.
Head down to Footscray Community Arts to explore the evolving precinct, including the new Lango Stage, exhibitions and riverside greenspace. Afterwards, follow part of the Maribyrnong River Trail for a stroll or ride along the water. Along the river you might spy the Heavenly Queen statue or hidden behind a hill, Jack’s Magazine.
Walking circuits of Maribyrnong
Experience the evolving residential design in the West and visit Stack & Field: Generosity on a Tight Urban Site, a family home that shows how thoughtful design can make compact living feel open and connected. It’s a practical example in Maribyrnong of how smart planning and passive design can deliver generous, liveable homes on smaller sites.
If you need a caffeine pick-me-up, head to Seddon or Yarraville Village for a coffee and bite before your next stop. And while in Yarraville take a tour of the Sun Theatre, a beautifully restored art deco icon.
Or later that evening, if you’re in the mood for movie night, don’t miss a screening of Secret Mall Apartment at the Sun Theatre. The documentary recounts the story of a group of young Rhode Islanders who built a secret apartment inside the Providence Place shopping mall.
Secret Mall Apartment trailer
On Sunday, theatre and history buffs can join one of the Footscray Heritage Theatres ours and discover some of Australia’s earliest purpose-built cinemas. Hear stories from a former projectionist and trace how these spaces shaped the cultural life of Melbourne’s west.
Go behind the scenes at the new Transurban Freeway Control Centre and see how Melbourne’s major transport networks are managed, including the West Gate Tunnel. It’s a rare chance to experience the hidden systems that keep the city moving.
Take time to explore some of Maribyrnong’s green spaces. Wander through Pipemakers Park or Newells Paddock, or make a longer outing of the Maribyrnong River Trail, with views, wildlife and places to stop along the way.
Explore local parks
For another perspective on the city, take a self-guided walk through the public spaces of Footscray Hospital, Melbourne’s new People’s Hospital. Wander through light-filled public spaces and landscaped outdoor areas while discovering the vision, design and innovation as shared by the project architects, artists and hospital staff.
Or seek out murals and augmented reality artworks through the Maribyrnong street art trail. The west rewards curiosity.
Once the weekend is over, there’s still plenty more to discover — from neighbourhood food trails and op shops to creative spaces, parklands and riverside paths. Maribyrnong has something new around every corner.
What's on in the West
