Ararat Rural City lies at an important junction of the Western and Pyrenees highways about 200 kilometres west of Melbourne, approximately a quarter of the way between Melbourne and Adelaide. Centrally located to the Grampians National Park, the Goldfields, the Southern Coast and metropolitan Melbourne, the Ararat region is not far from anywhere.
Ararat is a major regional service centre in Victoria’s mid-west and is supported by a number of small rural townships. Ararat Rural City has excellent schools, hospitals, transport connections and amenities that support a regional lifestyle.

Ararat Rural City is also the gateway to the world-renowned Grampians region where local produce, wine production, agriculture and tourism are among the economic mainstays. Diverse retail and manufacturing industries are spearheading a growing economy.

The region is nestled within picturesque landscapes which include magnificent natural environments and beautiful inland lakes. Our environment allows for a diverse range of recreational activities to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors to the municipality.

Council has a strong cultural relationship with its Sister City Taishan, and its three Friendship Cities: Yiwu, Huzhou and Ji’an in China.