The Great Sandy Macrozamia develops a symmetrical circle of leaf fronds, the largest up to 3m tall and about 4m in circumference. It grows in different habitats on the Island, sometimes in quite moist sandy situations near freshwater swamps. It is also often found on dry ridges beneath Banksia, Eucalypt and in valleys among great stands of Grass Trees.

The Great Sandy Macrozamia is related to Macrozamia douglasii.