It is in the Shire of Murrindindi local government area, 95 kilometres (59 mi) from the state capital, Melbourne.

It is in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, in the upper catchment of the Goulburn River system.

[2] The area was devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires in February 2009, with the loss of many houses.

[6] The General Store and Post Office were spared, but the Jarara Community Centre was destroyed.

In its 2009–2010 Budget, Murrindindi Shire Council indicated that the Jarara Community Centre would be rebuilt but, due to the high fire danger associated with its previous site in Silver Creek Road, Council would rebuild it elsewhere within Hazeldene.