Car Rental West Melbourne

Footscray in West Melbourne is just 5 kilometres from the centre of the CBD and is a multicultural area of Melbourne that has been shaped by various waves of immigration in the city. The diverse culture of the suburb is evident through its many shops and restaurants. You will find Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, East African and Yugoslavian flavours in Footscray. This has led Footscray to become one of the trendier areas of Melbourne; in 2019, it was voted the 13th coolest neighbourhood in the world in Time Magazine's '50 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World'. You cannot travel through Footscray without trying the food, and the flavours from all around the world made with high-quality produce.

Footscray is the kind of place where you will find a giant mural of a furniture salesman and local businessman; yes, really, Franco Cozzo, famous resident and son of Footscray, features in a large mural on the wall of his famous furniture store on Barkly Street.

While in Footscray, take in the Footscray Community Arts Centre, a premier art space not just in Footscray but Melbourne as a city. The centre supports and displays work from artists locally and around Australia. The centre is community-run and serves as a hub for cultural and self-expression. 

See live music, creative workshops, theatre and more, with free entry to boot. The centre also offers fantastic views of the Maribyrnong River and city, making it the perfect way to end the day by watching the sunset over Melbourne.

Once you're finished exploring the best of Footscray's unique culture, it's time to head into the city and the national parks that surround Melbourne.

Top Attractions in Melbourne to See With Your Hire Car

Melbourne is a fantastic tourist city, with museums, galleries, zoos, aquariums and heritage buildings all within driving distance of Footscray. To save some travel money, best spent on Melbourne's food scene, why not take in some free attractions.

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has over 70,000 artworks in its collection as well as travelling exhibitions, so even if you've already been, odds are your second visit will offer something new. With a large collection of local, national and international works, it is the premier art gallery in Victoria. With artworks stretching from traditional Aboriginal Art to French Impressionism, the NGV offers exactly what you want from a gallery experience and then adds something you didn't expect. The gallery is located on St Kilda Road, just 18 minutes from Footscray.

There are plenty of other free sites to enjoy, including the State Library of Victoria. While many wouldn't think of this place necessarily as a tourist attraction, you will find interesting exhibits and portraits, as well as the immaculate La Trobe Reading Room. The library is also the new home of Ned Kelly's Armour and the Ashes Urn. The Australian Centre for Contemporary Arts (ACCA) and The Australian Music Vault also make great additions to your free cultural tour of Melbourne.

Break Free With a Car Hire

Melbourne is a great city, voted the world's most liveable city 6 years in a row, but that doesn't mean what surrounds Melbourne isn't worth exploring as well, and from national parks to regional towns, it is all easily accessible with a hire car. So why not head out and enjoy cities like Geelong and Ballarat, 65 minutes and 90-minutes from Footscray, respectively. Or enjoy some of the beautiful national parks such as Great Otway National Park, 22.5-hours from Footscray on the western cape of Victoria. With waterfalls, caves, native animals and unique flora and fauna to discover on its many walking trails, you can see beautiful nature right out of the car park. So enjoy the best of Footscray and Melbourne, and then break free of the city and head out into Victorian wilderness.