The top of its body is pink or orange to reddish-brown[5] with irregular narrow cross-bands of cream with dark edges.

[3][10] B. australis is differentiated by B. fasciolatus (both occurring in New South Wales) by facial features.

[7][5] Preferred habitat for the coral snake is open woodland, grassland and arid scrub[7] in mulga, brigalow, open woodland and mallee associations on heavy clay, rocky or sandy soils.

[5] The eastern shovel-nosed snake has a burrowing habit and can be found under rocks, logs, or leaf litter during the day.

[7] The eastern shovel-nosed snake is a burrowing species, its "shovel" shaped nose is an adaptation to its fossorial habits.