Corymbia novoguinensis is a tree that typically grows to a height of 25 m (82 ft) and forms a lignotuber.

It has rough, fissured, flaky or fibrous and tessellated bark on the trunk and branches.

[2][3][4] Corymbia novoguinensis is similar to C. clarksoniana, C. ligans and C. polycarpa, but is distinguished from them on the basis of fruit shape.

[5] In 1995 Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson changed the name to Corymbia novoguinensis.

[3] This species grows in coastal area of southern Papua New Guinea, south-eastern Irian Jaya, some Torres Strait Islands and the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula.