The species is usually associated with wet sclerophyll or rainforest on the banks of montane creeks, streams, and isolated ponds and dams. It frequents disturbed and artificial habitats including adjacent farmland. It appears to be quite resilient to disturbance, perhaps due to its broad habitat utilisation. However, it does not tolerate complete forest clearing. It breeds from November to March and eggs are deposited among leaf-litter and on rocks/undercut banks overhanging lentic and lotic waters. Hatchling larvae fall, wriggle, or are washed by rain into pools where they complete their development after about 12 months. It has been found breeding in farm dams near forested areas. Parris (2002) reported occurrences in a broad array of stream types and in two farm dams across a sophisticated sampling regime covering the whole range of the species. Lemckert (1999) reported this species in streams and, “ponds” with negative effects of logging on density.

This Australian endemic species occurs along the east coast and adjacent inland areas from just south of Gladstone in central Queensland to Nowra in mid-eastern New South Wales. There is also an isolated subpopulation in the Mackay area in central Queensland that includes Eungella National Park, where it occurs at elevations from 130 to 1,000 m asl.

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species occurs in several protected areas throughout its range including Eungella National Park, Conondale National Park and Lamington National Park. It is often bred in captivity in Australian zoos.