It is a medium-sized tree with hard, rough bark on the lower trunk, smooth white to cream-coloured bark above, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to funnel-shaped fruit.Eucalyptus cambageana is a tree that typically grows to a height of 25 m (82 ft) high and forms a lignotuber.

[3][4][5] Eucalyptus cambageana was first formally described in 1913 by Joseph Maiden described from a specimen collected in 1912 from Mirtna Station near Charters Towers.

[5][7] Dawson River blackbutt is found from near Charleville, Charters Towers and Jericho to the coast of Queensland.

It grows in scrubland or open woodland with brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), belah (Casuarina cristata), and wilga (Geijera parviflora).

It grows into too large a tree for gardens in general, but its contrasting bark give it horticultural potential for parks and acreage.