The Musk Lorikeet is distributed on coastal east and south-east Australia from south Queensland to the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and including Tasmania. It is found in eucalypt woodland and along water courses where it feeds on nectar, pollen and blossoms as well as on cultivated fruits and seeds.

It has a bright red patch on the forehead which extends behind the eyes onto the ear coverts. The bill is black at the base with a reddish tip.