The more densely populated southern half of the shire consists of low rolling hills given over primarily to dairy farming and other agriculture. The northern half lies in the
Great Dividing Range and its foothills, where forestry remains an important industry. Tourism is also important in the region, aided by its proximity to and easy access from Melbourne. The shire is known for its rural scenery and natural environment, as well as gourmet foods and wines. The historic gold-mining town of
Walhalla is located in the northeast of the shire is a major tourist drawcard. The major electricity-producing region of the
Latrobe Valley lies immediately to the shire's east and south. Many of the shire's larger towns are located along the
Princes Highway and
Gippsland railway line, which cross the southern part of the shire. From west to east these include:
Longwarry,
Drouin,
Warragul,
Darnum,
Yarragon, and
Trafalgar. North of Warragul are Buln Buln,
Neerim South, and
Noojee, while south of Trafalgar in the
Strzelecki Ranges lies the town of
Thorpdale. The towns of
Rawson,
Erica, and
Parkers Corner are located near Walhalla amongst the foothills of the Baw Baw Plateau. Aberfeldy is located in the far north east of the shire above the Thomson Dam, which supplies 50% of Melbourne's water. ==Council==