The Shire of Winchelsea was a local government area about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia.

The shire covered an area of 1,294 square kilometres (499.6 sq mi), and existed from 1860 until 1994.

Winchelsea was first incorporated as a road district on 9 November 1860, and became a shire on 27 May 1864.

On 1 April 1989, Winchelsea annexed parts of the Shire of Barrabool, and was re subdivided into three ridings.

The Shire of Winchelsea was divided into three ridings on 1 April 1989, each of which elected three councillors: * Council seat.