The great barred frog reaches a size of 8 centimetres and has large, powerful legs.

The tadpoles are quite large, reaching 8.5 centimetres long, and are grey-brown or gold-brown in colour.

The mating call is a very loud "wark-wark-wark" which is occasionally followed by a softer, slow trill "bwaaark-bwaaark".

The male and female great barred frog will enter the water for amplexus.

Its powerful legs, and webbed feet allow it to escape predation by hopping large distances into water and quickly swimming away.