Acacia dawsonii is a shrub of the genus Acacia and the subgenus Plurinerves. It is native to an area down the east coast of south east Queensland, New South Wales and north east Victoria. Found in open woodland and forests along the slopes and tableland areas. It is not widely cultivated but is quite hardy and suitable for a wide range of climates. The erect shrub typically grows to a height of 0.5 to 4 metres (2 to 13 ft), with appressed branchlets that are hairy between resinous ridges.