The Shire, administered from the town of Springsure, covered an area of 23,649.6 square kilometres (9,131.2 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1879 until 2008, when it was amalgamated with the Shires of Duaringa, Emerald and Peak Downs to form the Central Highlands Region.

The area is a staging point for expeditions to Carnarvon National Park.

[3][8] On 15 March 2008, under the Local Government (Reform Implementation) Act 2007 passed by the Parliament of Queensland on 10 August 2007, Bauhinia merged with the Shires of Duaringa, Peak Downs and Emerald (formerly part of Peak Downs) to form the Central Highlands Region.

[8][9] This was despite Bauhinia Shire residents being strongly opposed to being incorporated into the new Emerald-based council area.

[10][11] From a total of 1,000 people, 966 voted no to the proposal in a poll conducted by Bauhinia Shire Council in August 2007.