The Rural City of Ararat is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the western part of the state. It covers an area of 4,211 square kilometres and in the 2021 had a population of 11,880. It includes the towns of Ararat, Armstrong, Dunneworthy, Lake Bolac, Moyston, Pomonal, Streatham, Tatyoon, Wickliffe and Willaura. It was formed in 1994 from the amalgamation of the City of Ararat, Shire of Ararat and parts of the Shire of Mortlake and Shire of Stawell.