The Shire of Warrnambool was a local government area located about 260 kilometres (162 mi) west-southwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of 1,605 square kilometres (619.7 sq mi), and existed from 1854 until 1994.

Warrnambool itself was managed by a separate entity; the City of Warrnambool.

History

Warrnambool was first incorporated as a road district on 11 July 1854, and became a shire on 31 December 1863.

On 1 June 1985, the Borough of Koroit was merged into the Shire of Warrnambool, as an additional riding known as the Koroit Riding.

On 23 September 1994, the Shire of Warrnambool was abolished, and along with the Borough of Port Fairy, the Shires of Belfast and Minhamite, parts of the Shires of Dundas, Mortlake, Mount Rouse and the Tower Hill Reserve, was merged into the newly created Shire of Moyne.

Wards

The Shire of Warrnambool was divided into four ridings, each of which elected three councillors:

• North Riding
• South Riding
• East Riding
• Koroit Riding

Population

Year	Population
1954	8,920
1958	7,910*
1961	7,610
1966	7,492
1971	6,859
1976	6,753
1981	6,517
1986	6,571
1991	8,452
2016	34,618

* Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.