The elevation of the reserve terrain is 99 m.[2] Ethabuka was offered as a pastoral lease from 1910, though it was not taken up until 1946.

[3] Ethabuka is characterised by dunefields and the associated swales, with clay and gibber floodplains.

It contains the nationally significant Pulchera waterhole, a semi-permanent wetland fed by the ephemeral Mulligan River.

Threatened bird species recorded are the Australian bustard, yellow chat, painted honeyeater and chestnut quail-thrush.

[3] The reserve is part of the Simpson Desert Important Bird Area (IBA), identified as such by BirdLife International for its importance in conserving suitable habitat for Eyrean grasswrens.