Footscray

Indulge your nostalgia for Ethiopian coffee houses, South East Asian markets, Italian cannoli and Chinese New Year celebrations in the bustling pocket of Footscray, just 10 minutes from Melbourne's CBD.

World cuisine
Once a centre for southern European migrants, these days Footscray is home to Chinese, Vietnamese, and increasingly, North African immigrants and their cuisines. Slurp a bowl of pho at a Vietnamese noodle house, get a masala dosa near Victoria University, or tuck into traditional Ethiopian injera flat bread at Nicholson Street Mall. Alternatively, opt for one of Melbourne's best steaks at the Station Hotel.

Spice up your life
Locate those exotic spices and ingredients at Footscray Market. Busy Little Saigon Market will satisfy your craving for tropical fruits and Vietnamese groceries.

Big games and fireworks
Cheer on the 'Dogs', the Western Bulldogs Australian Football League team, at a training session at the state-of-the-art Whitten Oval. See the fireworks at Chinese New Year and the Tet Lunar Year Festival, a colourful Vietnamese celebration featuring dancing dragons, live music and food stalls.

How to get there
By train, take the Sydenham or Werribee lines from Flinders Street or Southern Cross stations to Footscray station. Journey time is approximately 15 minutes.