Footscray facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Footscray Melbourne, Victoria
Footscray Location in Melbourne
Population	15,259 (2013)
• Density	3,050/km2 (7,900/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	3011
Area	5 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Location	5 km (3 mi) from Melbourne
LGA(s)	City of Maribyrnong
State electorate(s)	Footscray
Federal Division(s)	Gellibrand
Suburbs around Footscray: Maidstone Maribyrnong Flemington Footscray West Footscray West Melbourne Kingsville Seddon Yarraville

Footscray is a lively suburb located in Melbourne, Australia. It's only about 5 kilometres (3 miles) away from Melbourne's city centre. Imagine a place where many different cultures come together! Around 15,000 people call Footscray home.

Footscray is surrounded by other suburbs like Seddon, West Footscray, Yarraville, and Flemington. It's a busy and interesting part of Melbourne's west.

A Long History: Traditional Lands

Before European settlement, Footscray was part of the traditional lands of the Kulin nation. The Kulin nation is a group of Aboriginal tribes. The Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung tribes lived here for over 40,000 years. They were the first people to care for this land.

A World of Cultures in One Place

Footscray is famous for being a truly multicultural suburb. People from over 135 different countries live here! Since the 1950s, it has been a welcoming place for new arrivals to Melbourne's west.

When you visit Footscray, you'll see this diversity everywhere. The shopping areas near Footscray Train Station are full of amazing sights and smells. You can find restaurants and shops run by people from Vietnam, Ethiopia, the Philippines, India, Somalia, Afghanistan, China, and many other places. It's like taking a trip around the world without leaving Melbourne!

Don't forget to try the delicious treats! T. Cavallaro & Sons is a famous bakery. They have been making some of Melbourne's best cannoli (a sweet Italian pastry) in Footscray for more than 50 years.

Fresh Food Markets: A Shopper's Paradise

Footscray is home to two fantastic fresh food markets. They are great places to explore and find unique ingredients.

Footscray Market

The Footscray Market is right opposite the Footscray Train Station. It's open from Tuesdays to Saturdays. This market is a good spot for fresh meat and seafood. You can also find some fruits and vegetables here. If you go near closing time, you might even find some great bargains!

Little Saigon Market

Another amazing market is the Little Saigon Market on Byron Street. This market is open every single day. Little Saigon is known as a "wet market." This means you can find super fresh fruits and vegetables. Often, they are the cheapest prices in Melbourne! It's a noisy, busy, and exciting place. You can usually try samples before you buy, which is a lot of fun!