Eucalyptus herbertiana is a small tree or mallee that typically grows to a height of 4 to 10 metres (13 to 33 ft) and forms a lignotuber.

The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils in groups of seven on an unbranched peduncle 3–14 mm (0.12–0.55 in) long, the individual buds sessile or on a pedicels 1–5 mm (0.039–0.197 in) long.

The Northern Territory Flora reports that this ecualypt is deciduous during the later dry season.

[4] It is similar in appearance to and closely related to the mountain white gum (E. mooreana) but E.mooreana has stem-clasping leaves.

[10] Kalumburu gum is found growing in skeletal soils amongst sandstone outcrops, hillsides and at the bases of ridges in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the top end of the Northern Territory and into western Queensland.