The Shire of Bairnsdale was a local government area about 280 kilometres (174 mi) east of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia.

The shire covered an area of 2,277.9 square kilometres (879.5 sq mi), and existed from 1867 until 1994.

On 6 January 1882, the Shire of Tambo, centred on Lakes Entrance, split away from Bairnsdale.

The West Dargo region was transferred to the newly created Shire of Wellington.

[3] The Shire of Bairnsdale was divided into three ridings, each of which elected three councillors: * Estimate in the 1958 Victorian Year Book.