The Shire of Nillumbik is located less than 25 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, and has the Yarra River as its southern boundary. It extends 29 kilometres to Kinglake National Park in the north. The Shire stretches approximately 20 kilometres from the Plenty River and Yan Yean Road in the west to Christmas Hills and the Yarra escarpment in the east.

The Shire covers an area of 431.94 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 60,623 who live in close-knit communities which range from typical urban settings to remote and tranquil bush properties.

The major townships are Eltham, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge. Twenty-two primary schools, five secondary schools and one TAFE service the family-oriented population. There are over 300 hectares of nature and recreation reserves, which doesn’t include the many lush areas of the Kinglake National Park in the north of the Shire.

The Wurundjeri people called the region Nillumbik meaning shallow earth - a name later used by the Europeans who settled there in the 1840s. Today the ongoing connection with the Shire’s past is recognised by using this name which so describes much of the area’s landscape.

The Shire’s logo, designed to represent the diverse communities which now comprise the Shire of Nillumbik, features both urban and rural elements working in harmony with the undulating hills. This acknowledges current goals and achievements, depicting commitment to the local environment and heritage.