About the Shire

Moorabool Shire is a fast-growing semi-rural municipality nestled between Melbourne, Geelong, and Ballarat. It is picturesque and friendly with the vibrancy of an active, growing community.

Step into the Central Highlands  

A stepping stone from rural to urban living 

As one of six municipalities in the Central Highlands region, Moorabool Shire provides a welcome change of pace to the hustle and bustle of the city and is just 45km from Melbourne. Situated at the eastern step of the region, it strikes the perfect balance between enchanting terrain and a vibrant community.  

Moorabool Shire acknowledge the Indigenous history of the shire. The land was traditionally occupied by and connected to a number of Aboriginal communities, most notably the Wadawurrung Tribe, Wurundjeri Tribe, and the Dja Dja Wurrung Tribe. In the 1850s, European settlers discovered gold in the region, giving rise to the beautiful gold rush towns across the shire.  

Step into nature with us 

This thriving agricultural region is abundant with a diverse range of produce. It is home to 64 localities and towns including Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Gordon and Blackwood, to name a few. Moorabool Shire is one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria. There is a rising number of enterprises and services such as retail, manufacturing, health, community services, education, property and a growing arts and culture corridor.  

The beauty of Moorabool Shire lies in its inspiring landscape and native wildlife. Residents and visitors can enjoy numerous hiking, camping, and recreation opportunities across its state, regional, and national parks. Werribee Gorge, the Avenue of Honour, Blackwood mineral springs, Lal Lal falls, forests and more; all what you will come to find when you step into the Central Highlands of Moorabool Shire. 

Step into the community with us  

The Community Vision for Moorabool Shire for 2030 is that we embrace our natural environment and lifestyle options to create an inspiring place for everyone to live, work and play. 

To achieve this vision, the Council Plan 2021-2025 identifies the main priorities and expectations over the four-year term. These are:  

  1. Healthy, inclusive and connected communities; 

  1. Liveable and thriving environments; 

  1. A Council that listens and adapts to the needs of our evolving communities.