The town is in the Shire of Macedon Ranges local government area and is bypassed to the east and north by the Calder Freeway (M79), located about halfway between Melbourne and Bendigo.

When gold was discovered in the area (towards Bendigo and Ballarat), Woodend became the main thoroughfare through the Black Forest, and accommodated many gold-diggers and their families.

[4] Woodend is close to such attractions as Mount Macedon and Hanging Rock located at nearby Newham, and numerous waterfalls.

[5] The Woodend Winter Arts Festival, held on the Queen's Birthday Weekend in June, is an event where artisans from around Australia gather to perform.

[7] The Woodend tennis club on Earnshaw St has six plexipave courts and its vibrant, progressive and rapidly growing membership has become a social hub for the local community.