Shell subglobose, 16.0-20.3 mm in height and 20.9-24.3 mm in width. Teleoconch and protoconch sculptured with small dense pustules. Shell red brown to pale brown, with red umbilical patch. Epiphallic flagellum short and finger-like. Internal sculpture of upper portion of penial chamber of transverse parallel filaments with raised central pilaster. Spire elevated. Aperture roundly ovate, 10.0-12.9 mm in height, 12.7-15.8 mm in width. Total number of whorls 5.60-6.20. Last teleoconch whorl rounded; 13.7-16.3 mm in height. Teleoconch sculpture of small dense pustules and fine to well developed growth lines. Teleoconch periostracal sculpture of weak parallel periostracal ridges. Protoconch sculpture pustulose. Shell red brown to pale brown, with red umbilical patch, narrow red subsutural band and supraperipheral band. Inner lip pale pink to mauve, strongly reflected and obscuring umbilical depression. Outer lip moderately deflected below midline of last whorl. Umbilicus closed. Dimensions of holotype: SH—20.3 mm, SW—24.3 mm, AH—12.9 mm, AW—15.8 mm, BW—16.3 mm, TW—6.20 whorls. Non-genital Anatomy. Animal orange, mantle dark red, and mantle roof mottled silver grey to black. Kidney long and thin, approximately 54% of length of mantle roof.

Ponderconcha murphyi n. sp. differs from all other species by the following combination of shell and anatomical characters: shell subglobose, teleoconch whorl rounded, teleoconch and protoconch sculptured with small dense pustules. Male genitalia has short and finger-like epiphallic flagellum, and the internal sculpture of the upper portion of the penial chamber consists of transverse parallel filaments with a raised central pilaster. Ponderconcha murphyi exhibits variation in both the colouration and size of the shell, which appears to be associated with particular vegetation types. This may suggest the presence of additional unrecognised taxa or represent ecophenotypic variation. Further surveys will probably additional populations of this species, while additional anatomical and molecular studies are required to determine if a species complex is involved.

Ponderconcha murphyi n. sp. is found in the dry forests of Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas, but not in rainforest. It is found under logs, wood and in leaf litter, and is typically active at night.