Indigo Shire is located about 270 north east of Melbourne, and borders the Murray River, the Australian Alps and the Municipalities of Wodonga, Wangaratta, Towong, Alpine and Moira.

It is 2,044 square kilometres with a population of 14,716 (ABS, 2001). Towns within the shire include Barnawartha, Beechworth, Chiltern, Rutherglen, Stanley, Tangambalanga and Yackandandah.

The shire’s economy is strongly influenced by tourism, as well as value adding to the primary products (beef, sheep, dairy, fruit and viticulture).

The Rutherglen area is world renowned for wine production. Significant food and dairy processing occurs at Wahgunyah and Tangambalanga respectively.

The eastern parts of the shire are sub-alpine terrain. The western end of the shire is more open and flatter, suitable for broad acre cropping.