Hakea baxteri is a non lignotuberous tall upright shrub 1–5 m (3–20 ft) with smooth grey bark.

Smaller branches and young leaves have densely matted soft rusty coloured hairs becoming smooth when flowering.

The inflorescence consists of 4-8 small strongly scented flowers, light red with a green style.

[2] Hakea baxteri was first formally described in 1830 by botanist Robert Brown and the description was published in Supplementum primum prodromi florae Novae Hollandiae.

[5] Hakea baxteri grows in the Stirling Range National Park and nearby locations in heathlands and mallee on sandy-loam and gravel.