10am - 4pm

Joseph Road Precinct, Footscray
(Between Warde St Pontoon & Heavenly Queen Temple)

Sunday 30 Nov, 2025

This event is proudly supported by Council's Signature Festivals and Activations Grants Program.

Taking place on Sunday 30 November 2025, this free community event will transform the Joseph Road Precinct into a vibrant festival space from 10AM to 4PM, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

This event is all about showcasing the heart of the precinct - its people, its stories, and its connection to the river. Attendees can enjoy a rich mix of entertainment and discovery, including Blackbird River Cruises offering scenic journeys along the River, Indigenous cultural sessions celebrating local heritage, and performances from the Snuff Puppets, a much-loved Footscray icon known for their quirky and larger-than-life theatre. For nature enthusiasts, guided walks will explore the area’s green spaces and biodiversity, while Reptile Encounters provide a fun and educational experience for kids (and brave adults alike).

Beyond the activities, River Landings is about community. Families can picnic under the trees, enjoy free entertainment, and connect with neighbours and local organisations working to make Footscray an even better place to live. With an exciting line-up of free activities and plenty of open space, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the precinct’s growing identity as a lively, inclusive riverside neighbourhood.

So grab your picnic blanket, bring your friends, and spend the day by the river, celebrating what makes Footscray truly special!

What’s On:

  • Enjoy a relaxing 60 minutes, cruising along the Maribyrnong River, aboard Blackbird River Cruises.

    Highlights:
    Heavenly Queen Temple. Footscray Park. Flemington Racecourse. Victoria University. Rowing & Canoe Clubs. Edgewater Lake. Riverside Golf Course. Melbourne’s Living Museum of the West & Pipemakers Park. Highpoint Shopping Centre. Sporting Venues. Angler Tavern. Essendon Boulevard. Riverside Park. Wetlands. The Old Sandpits.

    To reserve a guaranteed space on a cruise session, please click on the applicable session below. You will be redirected to our ticketing partner to proceed with a booking. Please bring your ticket or booking confirmation along on the day.

    Important Blackbird River Cruise Information:
    • Departure/Boarding Point: Departing from Warde Street Pontoon (Joseph Road Precinct)
    • Arrival Times: Please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to your departure time to ensure you are boarded and prepared. You will be provided with a safety induction upon boarding to ensure your safety and the safety of others whilst on the cruise.
    • Children’s Policy: Everyone on board must hold either a reserved ticket or be registered on the day, regardless of age, ability or babes-in-arms.
    • Cancellations:     If you hold a reserved ticket and can no longer attend, please email us at jrpagfootscray@gmail.com so that we can cancel your booking and open the reservation.

    Website

Blackbird River Cruises.
Seats are limited - Click a session below to reserve your spot on a cruise!
More info here.

10:00AM - 11:00AM
11:30AM - 12:30PM
1:00PM - 2:00PM
2:30PM - 3:30PM
4:00pm - 5:00pm

(You will be redirected to TryBooking to complete a free booking)

  • Giant Seagulls descend in a noisy quarrelsome pack.

    These unruly scavengers devour everything in their path.

    You might lose your hat as they fight each other for the finest spoils.

    Grab your children before they do!

    Instagram
    Website

  • 12:30pm - 2:30pm

    • Stage Show

      This fun, hands-on Stage Show is the perfect addition to the event’s entertainment line up! Families or kids will flock to the stand to get a glimpse of the amazing animals. Reptile Encounters WildlifeAmbassadors love getting on the mic and talking about native animals. Learn why a crocodile has a third eyelid, a snake sheds its skin and much, much more!

    • Wildlife Meet & Greet

      Get ready for an unforgettable wildlife encounter! Our Meet & Greet brings the magic of Australian animals to the event. Come face-to-face with majestic saltwater crocs, stunning pythons, wise owls, and adorable marsupials. The friendly Wildlife Ambassadors will mingle and share fascinating facts, create amazing photo ops and memories that will last a lifetime. Let the wild times begin!

    Instagram
    Website

  • Presented by Tarwin Cultural Service
    (Multiple Sessions throughout the day - approx. 25min duration)

    Join a session on Local Indigenous history, relating to the Maribyrnong River. These sessions will cover:

    • Who were the people who loved along both sides of the river prior to white settlement; the period of time living here; Kulin Nation and local mobs; relationships between these groups.

    • Family relationships and marriages organised with other groups within the Kulin Nation; Coolamon baby carrier with baby’s first possum skin - the telling of how the child reaches benchmarks and completes ceremonies and becomes an adult, and how this becomes a possum skin cape.

    • Local Foods - murnong (yam daisy), fish, wallabies etc; Women collecting plants and small game; Men hunting larger animals; Medicinal plants such as pig face; Eels and eel traps.

    • Ceremonies and trading with other Aboriginal communities; Marriage; Grimes Reserve

  • 2 x sessions (approx. 60mins duration)
    10:00am - 11:00am
    11:30am - 12:30pm

    Join Ranger Martin for an educational stroll and workshop through the beautiful landscape that borders the Joseph Road Precinct! Walk and learn about the Newells Paddock wetlands, and how they work with the river health, and water some new plants.

    Meeting point: Next to the JRPAG Inc marquee. Please ensure you are at the meeting point on time.

  • There’s something for everyone at this event! Kids can also enjoy the pop-up Toy Library, presented by Angliss Neighbourhood House, and can transform into their favourite characters with colourful face painting fun!

The River Landings Community Event is presented by JRPAG Inc., supported by Maribyrnong City Council and SOCM, highlighting the shared vision of creating a stronger, more connected community along the Joseph Road corridor. A special thanks to our Event Partners:

Additional Event Information |

Additional Event Information |

  • This is a free community event.
    There are no tickets available for purchase to enter the precinct or participate in most activities.

    For Blackbird River Cruise, tickets can be reserved for free via TryBooking. Alternatively, you may attend on the day queue for any remaining available space on a river cruise session - this is not guaranteed and wait times cannot be predicted.

  • Food and Beverage (non-alcoholic) trucks will be on available.

    In addition, we recommend bringing a packed lunch or picnic and snacks, along with a rug or blanket to enjoy in the park. Be sure to bring along plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.

    We suggest using containers and other recyclable items that you can take home with you, and advise against bringing glass items.

    Alcohol is not permitted in public spaces, including the River Landings area where this event is taking place.

  • Portable toilets will be available on-site at this event, situated in grassed area between the Joseph Road Apartments and Heaven Queen Temple.

  • Please note that this is primarily an outdoors event and will proceed rain or shine, unless weather is otherwise deemed unsafe for the event to proceed. Please plan accordingly and dress for the weather!

  • JRPAG Inc. and our Event Partners are not responsible for lost belongings. If you have misplaced an item whilst in attendance, please visit th JRPAG Inc. marquee to see if a friendly member of the community has handed your item over to our team. Otherwise, all lost & found enquiries can be emailed to email jrpagfootscray@gmail.com.au and a member of the team will respond to you as soon as possible.

  • Whilst pets are permitted in the park (on-lead only), we recommend avoiding the main grassed area where families and activities are positioned, due to the nature of the activities.

    The trail/path along the river will be open as per normal, and additional green spaces along the river remain available.

    If you do wish to bring your pets on site, we ask that you please be mindful of families and the activities occurring in the vicinity.

  • The Joseph Road Precinct Action Group Inc. (JRPAG Inc.) was established to give local residents a collective voice as the precinct undergoes rapid urban development.

    With a significant increase in high-density construction, residents identified growing concerns around safety, traffic, environmental impacts, incomplete public amenities, and the need for stronger community representation in planning decisions.

    JRPAG was formed to advocate for safer streets, better public spaces, timely delivery of essential infrastructure, and policies that support a liveable, inclusive, and well-serviced neighbourhood.

    The group provides a collaborative platform for residents to engage with Council, developers, and government agencies, ensuring that the long-term needs of the community remain at the centre of precinct planning and development.

    In 2025, JRPAG became a registered Incorporated Association and has established key subgroups to support its expanded community focus. These include: Greening & Environment; Planning & Public Realm; Road Safety; Grants, Donations & Community Events and Neighbourhood Watch.