The southern brown tree frog was described in 1841 by French naturalists André Duméril and Gabriel Bibron.

The backs of the thighs are orange, and no black marbling is present (except specimens from the Adelaide region), distinguishing this species from the similar whistling tree frog, (Litoria verreauxii).

They are particularly common in parts of suburban Adelaide, Melbourne, and Hobart, where they are often observed upon window panes at night, attracted by flying insects.

Males make a whistling weep-weep-weep call from beside or floating in the water of, dam impoundments, ditches, ponds, and stream-side pools.

Eggs are easily identifiable, being wound around submerged grass stems, aquatic vegetation, and sticks.