The city covered an area of 34.52 square kilometres (13.3 sq mi), and existed from 1855 until 1994.

It originated from two Aboriginal words "balla arat", meaning "resting place".

The municipality used the spelling Ballaarat as part of its corporate description, but the town itself came to be known as Ballarat.

[2] On 6 May 1994, the City of Ballaarat was abolished, and along with the Borough of Sebastopol, the Shire of Ballarat and parts of the Shires of Bungaree, Buninyong, Grenville and Ripon, was merged into the newly created City of Ballarat.

The City of Ballaarat was divided into four wards on 25 May 1921, each of which elected three councillors: * Council seat.