It ranges from pale to dark brown above, but males in the breeding season become bright yellow.

The backs of the legs are blue with black spots, which helps distinguish this species from the very similar stony creek frog.

Lesueur's frog is associated with rocky streams and creeks in coastal heath forests, montane areas, and rainforests.

Males make a soft, purring call from beside creeks or from pools on the edges of streams during spring, summer, and autumn.

Metamorph frogs are small, about 1.4 cm (0.6 in) and resemble the adult, but the dark stripe on the head is not very prominent.