The range consists of sandstone hills, surrounded by spinifex grasslands.
The range was named after politician Samuel Tomkinson (1816–1900) by the explorer William Gosse in the early 1870s.
[1] Ernest Giles and his team reached the ranges shortly after, and established a base from which to explore the Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts.
part of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands.
The communities of Kalka and Pipalyatjara are located at the base of the mountains.