It is a climbing plant with new growths that are rusty in colour, and often become glabrescent with age, with simple or branched tendrils.

The leaves are simple, ovate to ovate-oblong, mostly 4-12 cm long, 20-50 mm wide, the apex pointed, the base mostly rounded, the margins toothed all over the surface, the upper surface is glabrous, the underside generally rusty and hairy with petiole 1-3 cm long.

It is found in warmer rainforest, mainly in coastal regions north of Tathra in New South Wales and inland on the Liverpool Range, to Queensland.

Cissus antarctica is often used as a vine in subtropical climates, such as California, as an ornamental plant in gardens.

Kangaroo vine also is a popular interior or houseplant, a well adapted plant, even in subdued light.