Welcome to the City of Maribyrnong
Those exploring Maribyrnong over The Weekend will find a diverse range of programs to keep the young and young at heart engaged! Use the Maribyrnong River Trail as your guide for much of The Weekend’s activities in the City of Maribyrnong; walk, ride or pram your way along this beautiful pathway and uncover so many treasures… think the Heavenly Queen Temple, the Edgewater playground and Newells Paddock Wetlands Reserve.
Almost completely out of sight on the banks of the river, discover the hidden world that is Jack’s Magazine, with a look inside this former explosives store built into an escarpment. You’ll need to look closely to find your way in!
Take a guided walking tour through the 15 hectare Footscray Park, one of the largest and best preserved Edwardian-era parks in Australia. Just a short distance south of the Ballarat Road entrance is Rudimentary, a neighbourhood café whose new winter menu will surprise and delight. Watch out for Brook Andrew’s new public art piece Welcome to Footscray on Hopkins Street.
Away from the river, step back in time with a walking tour of Footscray’s Heritage Theatres with a guided tour past La Scala Theatre, Trocadero, The Grand and Barkly Theatres. Keep your eyes open for public art along Barkly Street (look out for Katherine Gailer’s Abundance, Hayden Dewer’s Navigating Through Time, and Justine McAllister’s Dragon Dreams). Also seek out Carla McRae’s Gender Equality Wall at the corner of Donald and Blackston Streets and Madi Mercer’s Even when they step on our flowers, our seeds will still bloom at Droop Street.
Recharge with a delicious toastie at Ollie’s Deli or try the Venezuelan fare on offer at Papelon.
Not far away, explore the brand new home of 100 Story Building and learn how this unique space was designed in collaboration with the Futuremakers, a team of young designers whose ideas have helped to create this dynamic space for creativity. Young people will love this hands-on self-guided scavenger hunt.
Pop into nearby Café Larome for Japanese / French inspired that will please your eyes and your Instagram feed as much as your belly, or for something slightly less polished but no less delicious, try The Brotherhood Yiros and Grill for pita made fresh daily and meat roasted over hot coals.
Closer to the river again, Hop into the West is a tour of Footscray’s Hop Nation venue, a quintessentially industrial space turned brewery and beer hall. Hear about the history of the site and the creative process of the interior designers charged with the venue’s revamp.
While you’re here, check out Station Hotel (kiddos will love the undercover play area) or Kindred Café (easier if you’re on foot or two wheels!). There’s a great playground at Yarraville Gardens, and you’ll also want to take a look at the public art on the walls of the Footscray Community Arts warehouse building.
Take a look behind the scenes of one of Victoria’s largest infrastructure projects with the West Gate Tunnel Project Community Tour, a guided bus tour of the project’s east zone. Grab a complimentary coffee at the beginning of the tour or get your caffeine and food fix at local favourites First Love HQ (try the famous chicken sandwich) or Myrtle Café (think big, beautiful breakfasts with heart).
Kids are welcome on the tour, and they’ll love a visit to Mappin Reserve Playground in Seddon to burn off a little steam after their bus adventure.
Once the weekend is over, be sure to check out the Maribyrnong What’s On page for more engaging activities.
