Head and body length is 200-425 mm and tail length of 75-170 mm. Weights are 450-900 grams. Coloration is drab brown, dull orange, grayish brown or gray with interspersed black-tipped hairs. Diagonal dark and light bars occur on the rump, sometimes forming and elaborate pattern. Underparts are white or whitish. The snout is long and tapered and the large ears are pointed.

Perameles gunnii inhabits woodlands and open country with good ground cover. Nests are oval mounds of twigs, leaves, and humus on the surface of the ground or in more open areas, excavated chambers or abandoned rabbit burrows, hollow logs, or rock piles. Eastern Barred Bandicoots are nocturnal, terrestrial and extremely active.

They are primarily insectivorous, but also eat a variety of worms, lizards, snails, mice and plant materials.

Females are sexually mature at 3 months and can produce 1-2 litters the same year they are born. Females are polyestrous, breeding from May to February and can have 3-4 litters per season with an average of 2-3 young. There are eight mammae which allows the female to have a litter while the previous litter is being weaned. Young stay in the pouch from 48 to 53 days and are weaned at 59-61 days. Male sexual maturity is achieved at 4-6 months.

They are found in Australia: S Victoria, where restricted to Hamilton and Tasmania.