The giant barred frog is very large and powerfully built, with a pointed snout and strong hindlimbs. Females reach 120 millimetres in length while males are smaller at 80 millimetres in length. The species is beige to brown with irregular darker markings and cream to almost yellow on the underside. Barring is present on the fore- and hindlimbs. The fingers lack webbing, while the toes are three quarters to fully webbed.
The giant barred frog is found from Wongi State Forest near Maryborough in South East Queensland, south to Warrimoo in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. On the Gold Coast, the species has been recorded within the Nerang River Catchment and its tributaries in the Numinbah Valley region. There are also recent records from higher altitudes at Springbrook that require further investigation.
The giant barred frog inhabits slow-flowing freshwater streams (often with steep banks) with permanent or semi-permanent water. The species is generally restricted to rainforest or wet sclerophyll forest at low elevations but is occasionally recorded in dry sclerophyll forest and degraded riparian remnants. Individuals can be found at least 50 metres away from the stream channel where they forage in the litter of adjacent forested or open areas.
Breeding occurs from late spring to summer. Eggs are deposited out of water, sticking under overhanging banks or on steep banks of large pools. Hatched tadpoles then drop or wriggle into the water. Development may take up to 14 months from egg laying to tadpole then to adult frog (metamorphosis).
Image credit: Steve Wilson