Rural East is bounded in the north by a rough line that runs east-west north of the Ararat Hamilton Railway line and the municipal boundary of Ararat Rural City; in the east and south by the municipal boundary of Moyne Shire; and in the west by a line that runs north-south west of Archers Soldier Settlement Road, Beesons Road, a line that runs north-south east of Madins Road, a line that runs east-west south of Hartwicks Road, Elsoms Road, Mt Napier Road, Rissmans Road and a rough line that runs north-south west of the localities of Tarrington and Strathkellar.