Eucalyptus tintinnans is a tree that sometimes grows to a height of 15 m (49 ft), but usually shorter and often straggly.

It has smooth orange to cream-coloured new bark that later becomes salmon pink and finally grey shortly before it is shed.

[5] In 1988, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill raised the variety to species status as Eucalyptus tintinnans.

[6] The specific epithet (tintinnans) is derived from Latin and refers to the ringing sound that hollow trees of this species often make when struck with an axe.

[2] Eucalyptus tintinnans grows on sandy soil in hilly country or on low stony hills from near Stapleton to the Kakadu National Park and Katherine Gorge in the Top End.