Eucalyptus lockyeri is a small tree that typically grows to a height of 9 m (30 ft) and forms a lignotuber.

Mature buds are sometimes glaucous, oval, 10–13 mm (0.39–0.51 in) long and 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) wide with a conical to horn-shaped operculum, Flowering has been recorded in March, May and December and the flowers are white.

[5][6] The specific epithet (lockyeri) "honours Michael Lockyer of Ravenshoe, who first drew the authors' attention to this taxon".

[5] In 1994, Ian Brooker and David Kleinig described two subspecies and the names have been accepted by the Australian Plant Census: Eucalyptus lockyeri is endemic to a restricted area of Queensland, occurring between Ravenshoe and near Herberton.

[3][5] Both subspecies of E. lockyeri are classified as "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.