Willaura
VIC 3379 • Victoria
About Willaura
Willaura is a small agricultural town in western Victoria, located within the Rural City of Ararat local government area, approximately 231 kilometres west of Melbourne and 36 kilometres south of Ararat. The town sits in a productive farming district characterised by vast open paddocks, and the 2021 census recorded a population of 439. The name Willaura is said, by tradition, to derive from the phrase "Will Laura?", part of local folklore. The area was first traversed by Major Thomas Mitchell in 1836, whose favourable reports opened the district to European settlement.
Willaura offers a quiet rural lifestyle with essential services including a primary school, general store, and health facilities, while larger centres like Ararat and Hamilton provide additional amenities. The surrounding landscape is dominated by sheep and cropping farms, and the community maintains a strong agricultural identity. The town's heritage is reflected in its war memorial and historic streetscape on the main road. Willaura appeals to residents seeking affordable rural property and a close-knit community, particularly those connected to the local farming economy.
Willaura falls under postcode 3379 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lowan (Western Victoria) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- V/Line coach — Ararat / Hamilton 40 to 50 min to Ararat
Commute to Melbourne CBD
🛣️ Ararat is the nearest service town and rail connection. Ballarat is ~116 km east for broader services.
Very car dependent. Basic services are walkable within the town itself, but all major shopping and transport links require a car.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
-
14 Warranooke Street