Werribee stinks! 

As a local, that’s the stigmatism you’ve either lived with or have experienced at some point. 

But if it’s true, why is Werribee the most popular suburb in Australia’s fastest growing region? 

It’s too simplistic to suggest the population boom is solely because property remains affordable in this area. There are some monstrous houses in Werribee and surely the owners have the coin to buy something else in a more “desirable” location. So why don’t they? 

And if you believe some media outlets, Werribee is in the midst of a crime wave, yet more people are moving in than out in spite of it. 

So the reasons go deeper than inexpensive house and land packages. 

As a documentary filmmaker, I went to Werribee to find out why it’s growing so fast and question if that growth is sustainable. 

Here’s what I discovered. 

A weekend away vibe 

I love getting out of the city to unwind and disconnect. So, it’s not uncommon to find me drinking, eating and relaxing in places like Dalyesford and Mornington. 

But sometimes time doesn’t permit a few days off and a few hours drive. So, it’s great to know Werribee’s natural resources are less than 35 kilometers away from the city.  

I didn’t realise a tranquil, magnificent waterway existed in such close proximity to a suburban main street. And the Werribee River seems to be thriving despite the demands of urbanisation, although that’s due to the environmental efforts of The Werribee River Association. 

Kayaking the river is the sort of experience tourists pay big money for in places like Ha Long Bay and throughout South America. Yet for the cost of a kayak, lifejacket and car-racks it’s something Melbournians can do for free, whenever they want. 

Nature is the real selling point to Werribee and its associated areas. Beyond the Werribee River, South Werribee beach and the Werribee Gorge are both an easy drive from the main drag. 

I live in the inner suburbs and I’m packed in tightly with other sardines (I mean residents) among highrise apartments, trams and trains. 

While inner city living does have some advantages (a higher crime rate than Werribee is not one of them), the older I get the more space I want. 

Space not just in the form of a backyard but the space along river beds, beaches and national parks. Werribee offers plenty of that. 

New residents bring epic food experiences  

Walking Watton street (and its nearby surroundings), it’s obvious that Werribee is an emerging foodie-hub. 

I choose to eat at the humble Pinoy Diner. The owner, Harold, welcomed me and my interview guest into his establishment like it was his home. He showed us pictures of Filipino islands on the wall and explained where various dishes originated from. He’s proud of his restaurant and culture, and so he should be. 

We noshed-down sweet spaghetti, sisig and pancit bihon and talked about why it’s difficult to find Filipino food in Australia outside of Werribee, despite a 300,000+ strong Filipino community in our country. 

Had we not gone to Pinoy Diner, choosing a restaurant wouldn’t have been a problem.

Down the road from Pinoy Diner and to the right is Thaigerlilly, a rustic and relaxed Thai restaurant. The owner, Ozzie, has a slightly erratic personality (in a good way) with the energy you’d expect from someone cooking this spicy, sweet and sour cuisine. 

And Ozzie knows what he’s doing. He trained under the famed David Thompson and worked the line at Chin Chin in the city. So, you know Thaigerlilly is on par with Bangkok’s vibrant street food scene. 

Going further, you can understand why the Age called Watton street “the most exciting culinary street in the west” because as new immigrants have arrived, so have their food and culture. 

It seems every culture and cuisine is represented in Werribee, and the best thing? 

Dining options are casual and still largely undiscovered by anyone east of the Westgate. And that means no waiting in long queues just to take an Insta-worthy snap or dealing with detached and disingenuous hipster waiters, baristas and the dreaded “mixologist.” 

That “stank” has an interesting history 

Werribee used to stink but I didn’t smell anything unsavory (other than my videographer running ragged in 37 degree heat) when I was in town. 

But I wanted to understand where its tarnished reputation came from so I went to Pongville HQ, more commonly known as Crocoroc Historical Township. 

With lavender oil at the ready, I toured this once thriving community with Dr Monika Schott, author of The faraway land of the house and two cows to learn about its significance to the area. 

What fascinated me most was the stories of the residents who up-rooted their lives and moved to the middle of nowhere (even now Crocoroc is removed from Weribbee) to shovel the proverbial in the blazing sun and freezing cold for the benefit of city slickers. 

I’ve read articles about how “Crocorocians” were ostracised and abused when in public and at football games due to their profession and living location. 

But for residents, their lifestyle was one of freedom and fun. As a community, they grew their own food and reared livestock and lived on expansive farmland. Ironically, it was the kind of lifestyle many people crave these days.  

Maybe Crocorocians were the original hipsters? So, don’t poo-poo the importance the sewage farm has had on Werribee’s past and current development. 

Some roads lead to frustration 

I know what you’re thinking, I’m an “out of towner” and don’t have to deal with the daily grind of Werribee and only did the good stuff.  

To a degree that is correct, but my journalistic integrity (an uncommon trait in the industry) meant I needed to experience (from a safe distance) the brutal and dangerous impact population growth has had on local roads. 

I feel for the residents of Riverwalk Estate (and others) who can wait up to 45 minutes in peak times just to turn off the C109 Exit. After slogging their guts out at work, it’s a final kick in the pants to have to battle such congestion so close to home. 

Real Estate Agents aren’t known for their morality and some would suggest their desire to sell, sell, sell properties in the area has contributed to the state of the roads, but I met with one who is at least trying to help. 

Standing on the Farm road bridge overlooking the C109 Exit, Prashant Tandon showed me what locals have to suffer through. 

That’s why he’s lobbying the Government (in a Change.Org petition) for much needed improvements to the highway and exit so residents can reclaim that desirable “work/life balance”. According to the Government, they are investing in infrastructure though. 

So, what will change and will it work? Watch this space! I’m sure Werribee News will report on it when (if) it happens. 

Werribee is a suburb that defies its outdated reputation. Yes, it has its challenges—traffic congestion, past stigmas, and rapid population growth—but what thriving place doesn’t? 

What I found in Werribee was more than just affordability; I found a suburb rich in culture, nature, and community.

From the thriving food scene to the hidden natural gems, Werribee offers a lifestyle that many Melburnians crave but don’t realise exists so close to the city.

It’s a place where locals, new businesses and diverse cultures are shaping the future, and where the so-called “stank” has become nothing more than an outdated myth.

As Melbourne’s west continues to expand, Werribee is proving that it’s more than just a place to pass through—it’s a destination in its own right. 

Whether or not that growth is sustainable remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: people aren’t just moving to Werribee. They’re staying.

The post An Outsider’s Fresh Perspective Of Werribee After Experiencing It For The First Time. appeared first on The Werribee News.

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