It covered an area of 16,366.8 square kilometres (6,319.3 sq mi), and existed as a local government entity from 1879 until 2008, when it amalgamated with neighbouring Shire of Tambo to form the Blackall-Tambo Region.

The Barcoo River passes through the shire's former area and the dominant industry is sheep and cattle grazing.

The town was abolished on 7 November 1931 and became Division 3 of the Shire of Kargoolnah, which had in the meantime shrunk to include only the Blackall region.

[5] On 15 March 2008, under the Local Government (Reform Implementation) Act 2007 passed by the Parliament of Queensland on 10 August 2007, the Shire of Blackall merged with the Shire of Tambo to form the Blackall-Tambo Region.

The Shire of Blackall included the following settlements: In 1993, the Local Government Act Number 70 was introduced; it included that all heads of local government councils should be known as mayors and all other elected representatives were to be known as councillors.