MacDonnell Ranges

MacDonnell Ranges
Northern Territory
MacDonnell Ranges; Northern Territory
	The interim Australian bioregions,; with the MacDonnell Ranges in red
Area	39,294 km2 (15,171.5 sq mi)
	Localities around MacDonnell Ranges:

MacDonnell
MacDonnell
	Glen Helen Gorge in the MacDonnell Ranges
Highest point
Peak	Mount Zeil
Elevation	1,531 m (5,023 ft); AHD
Dimensions
Length	644 km (400 mi) E/W
Naming
Etymology	Sir Richard MacDonnell
Geography
	MacDonnell Location of the MacDonnell Ranges; in the Northern Territory
Country	Australia
Territory	Northern Territory
Region	Alice Springs
Geology
Rock age	Carboniferous

The MacDonnell Ranges, a mountain range and an interim Australian bioregion, is located in the Northern Territory, comprising 3,929,444 hectares (9,709,870 acres).^[1]^[2] The range is a 644 km (400 mi) long series of mountains located in the centre of Australia, and consist of parallel ridges running to the east and west of Alice Springs. The mountain range contains many spectacular gaps and gorges as well as areas of aboriginal significance.

The ranges were named after Sir Richard MacDonnell (the Governor of South Australia at the time) by John McDouall Stuart, whose 1860 expedition reached them in April of that year. The Horn Expedition investigated the ranges as part of the scientific expedition into central Australia. Other explorers of the range included David Lindsay and John Ross.

The MacDonnell Ranges were often depicted in the paintings of Albert Namatjira.^[3]

Geography

The highest peaks are Mount Zeil with an elevation of 1,531 metres (5,023 ft) AHD, Mount Liebig at 1,524 metres (5,000 ft) AHD, Mt Edward at 1,423 metres (4,669 ft), Mt Giles at 1,389 metres (4,557 ft) and Mount Sonder at 1,380 metres (4,530 ft) AHD; the five highest mountains in the Northern Territory.^[4] The headwaters of the Todd, Finke and Sandover rivers form in the MacDonnell Ranges. The range is crossed by the Australian Overland Telegraph Line and the Stuart Highway.

Geology

350-300 million years ago a mountain building event created the MacDonnell Ranges.^[4] Since that time, folding, faulting and erosion have shaped the range and created numerous gaps and gorges.^[4]^[5] The ranges are composed of many rock types, but are most famous for their red quartzite peaks and gorges. Other rock types include granite, limestone, sandstone and siltstone.^[5] Some of the valleys of the range contain fossil evidence of the inland sea that once covered central Australia.^[5]

Ecology

Part of the Central Ranges xeric scrub ecoregion of dry scrubby grassland ^[6] the ranges are home to a large number of endemic species including the Centralian Tree Frog. This is mostly due to the micro climates that are found around the cold rock pools.

Tourist attractions

[[]] The West MacDonnell National Park was established in 1984 to protect the numerous parks and reserves of the range,including internal residents inside the range.^[5] It also facilitated the development of the Larapinta Trail.

To the east of Alice Springs, within an hours drive, are sites important to the local Arrernte people, many of which contain examples of Aboriginal rock art. These include Emily Gap, Jessie Gap, Trephina Gorge and N’Dhala Gorge.

To the west of Alice Springs is the Larapinta Trail—a world-class, long distance bush walking trail that runs 223 kilometres (139 mi) along the backbone of the range.^[5] Along the trail is Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Serpentine Gorge, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Pound, Redbank Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, Tnorala Gosse Bluff, Palm Valley, Mount Sonder, Mount Zeil and Mount Giles.