The mountain range rises some 700–800 metres from the surrounding plains and comprises massifs of granite and gneiss.

William Ernest Giles was the first European man to pass through the area and camped to the south of Woodroffe on September 7, 1873.

William Christie Gosse had previously named it Mt Woodroffe on July 20 that same year.

It lost out due to its remoteness compared to Siding Spring in New South Wales, where the AAT sits today amongst other astronomical observatories.

[5] Access is limited as a permit is required to enter the Anangu Pitjantjatjara lands.