As usual there is a lot going on in West Melbourne and Beyond this weekend.
Festival
East Meets West

  • East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival (Footscray). Sun 12 Jan 10 AM to 10 PM.
  • Pete Murray: Pop Up Park (Werribee). Fri 10 Jan 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Station Place Werribee VIC 3030.
  • Aladdin (Outdoor Cinema, Werribee). Sat 11 Jan 2020 6pm-8pm. Station Place Werribee VIC 3030.
  • SMVS Kite Festival (Mt Cottrell). Sun 12 Jan, 10am - 4pm. 435 Davis Road Mt Cottrell Vic 3029
  • So Frenchy So Chic (Werribee Mansion). Sun 12 Jan. Fees apply. Book tickets ahead of event.
  • Sunset Safari. Werribee Open Range Zoo. Fees apply. Book ahead of event. 11-12 Jan.

Looking Ahead
Quang Minh Tet Festival. 24 Jan, 6pm–1am. Quang Minh Temple, Braybrook
Yarraville Festival. 16 Feb, 9am–7pm, Yarraville Village Precinct
Pasifika Festival (Footscray Park, 7 March 2020)


Check out our review of Niku Niku Japanese restaurant in the Melbourne CBD (338 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000) here.

Lobster
Lobster
Niku Niku is a nice looking reasonably priced restaurant with a bit of quirkiness thrown in as well.  For a Japanese restaurant that is a bit different they are worth a try.
Check out our review of New Taipei restaurant on Swanston Street in the Melbourne CBD here.


New Taipei is a Taiwanese restaurant specialising in dumplings and noodles for the budget eater.


Check out our review of 'Dinner By Heston' here on Southbank, Crown Casino Complex.

Pineapple Cake

It lives up to your expectations which is saying something.
This is the first time I have been to the Malmsbury Village Fayre.  Malmsbury certainly isn't on the front line of places to visit for most people.  However, if you are in anyway interested in folk music you may have heard of Malmsbury as this part of Victoria really supports folk music in a big way.


According to the 2016 Census, Malmsbury has a population of 831.  You could be thinking how can  a place of 831 possibly hold a festival.  Good question.  Anyway, I am happy to report that the Malmsbury Village Fayre is definitely one of the best festivals going around.


I put this down to community spirit.  It is so well supported, amazingly organised and it would seem the entire community gets behind it.  

This year the Victorian weather was perfectly obliging which made it perfect for everybody.  Not to hot but warm enough to picnic, square dance and enjoy all the entertainment.  This is a real family friendly event.  What I noticed was a seeming joy at the festival.  Not something you notice everywhere.



There is lots of entertainment for the kids, stalls and shops, plenty of food establishments, picnic areas, live music (predominantly folk music and a bit of Cuban).  It just is so relaxing.  Is it about being in the country? Maybe.



The community feel is really shown by how the rubbish is managed.  No paper plates and plastic.  Food is plated up on regular plates and washed by hand.  Seeing volunteers going around collecting plates demonstrates how society is improving for the better.  How's is that for eco credentials and community spirit!



If you love folk music then the Malmsbury Village Fayre should definitely be added to your list of weekend activities throughout the year.  It's not a folk festival though so keep your expectations in check.

This is one of the best festivals I have been to.  Of course most festivals are similar in some ones, food stalls, live entertainment, usually musical in nature and a reason for being (be it culture, music, ethnicity, country, etc).



What sets the Malmsbury Village Fayre apart is the community spirit.  It really was such  a nice visit coming to this festival.  I will be coming back again.

Getting there


Check out something new in the Western Suburbs or just looking for something to do.

Harpley Market


Hopefully you find something to do other than the mad Christmas shopping rush.
Check out our review of Pabu Grill & Sake in Collingwood here.


If you are looking to get out and about and maybe do something different for you or your family you should consider going walking in the Werribee Gorge State Park.


Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk
It's surprisingly close to those who live people in the outer western suburbs.

For those looking for an easy walk think about walking the Falcon's Lookout/Ingliston Granites walk or the Short Circuit walk.


View from Falcon's Lookout
For something more challenging others should think about the Centenary Track or the Werribee Gorge Circuit walk.

Most Scenic Walk
And if you are looking for the most scenic walk then do the Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk (10km).  Definitely the most scenic of the walks in Werribee Gorge State Park and the one I highly recommend.  

Keep in mind there is a cable robe you must use to go around one section of the walk so this might be challenging for some.
Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk
Anyway, I hope some people who haven't been hiking for a long time get inspired.

More Information
Check out the section on hiking at Werribee Gorge State Park on this website here.
If you are looking for something to do this weekend here are some options for you:
Cypriot festival

Sun Dec 01 2019 at 11:30 am. Greek Cypriot Youth of Melbourne - Apostolos Andreas, 10 St Andrew St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3034, Sunshine, Australia

Enjoy Cypriot food and culture this St Andrews Feast Day.

Getting There

Wonder Imagine A Miracle
Free Christmas entertainment from Werribee Baptist Church.  Enjoy the joy and spirit of the Christmas message.  This is a great event if you are not a Church goer.

Getting There

Red Centre (Werribee)
Artists from across Wyndham have paired with artists from across Melbourne to collaborate on new artworks for Wyndham's annual public art program.

Starts Friday, 29 Nov from 7pm.

Official website here and Facebook link here
Check out our latest review of I Love Dumplings in Newmarket.


This is a great Chinese restaurant.  While not worth making an effort to get to if you live in the outer west it's worth a visit if you live in say Footscray or Kensington or are passing through New Market.
Well, I am happy to report that the Macedonian Cultural Festival in Williamstown is a great event.


The sun was out, there was a great turn-out by both young and old, fantastic Macedonian cultural entertainment, lots of food and a wonderful atmosphere.
A plentiful and well behaved crowd
It really is a wonderful family friendly event and if Williamstown turns on the weather like today you must check it out next year.

Traditional Macedonian singing
I like that this festival is a cultural one and that there is more than just Macedonian food on offer.

Moving into the crowd and getting punters to participate as well
What's also great is that the Macedonian community seem to really support this event and well as Australians of all cultures so it really is a nice multicultural atmosphere with plenty of people milling about.  And people do help create atmosphere!

Traditional Macedonian dancing
Of course, with the festival being in Williamstown and the weather being amazingly great you also get to enjoy the local restaurants, ice cream and gelateria's, the waterfront and views towards the city.

Enjoying the festival, the weather and the Williamstown waterfront.  View looking back to the festival
I really am happy to report that this festival should be added to your list of things to do next year.