TheMacDonnell Ranges, orTjoritja inArrernte, is amountain range located in southernNorthern Territory. MacDonnell Ranges is also the name given to aninterim Australian bioregion broadly encompassing the mountain range, with an area of 3,929,444 hectares (9,709,870 acres).^[1][2] The range is a 644 km (400 mi) long series of mountains in centralAustralia, consisting of parallel ridges running to the east and west ofAlice Springs. The mountain range contains many spectacular gaps and gorges as well as areas ofAboriginal significance.

MacDonnell Ranges
Glen Helen Gorge in the MacDonnell Ranges
Highest point
Peak	Mount Zeil
Elevation	1,531 m (5,023 ft) AHD
Coordinates	23°22′59″S132°22′59″E / 23.38306°S 132.38306°E /-23.38306; 132.38306
Dimensions
Length	644 km (400 mi) E/W
Naming
Etymology	SirRichard MacDonnell
Native name	Tjoritja (Arrernte language)
Geography
MacDonnell Ranges Location of the MacDonnell Ranges in theNorthern Territory
Country	Australia
Territory	Northern Territory
Region	Alice Springs
Range coordinates	23°42′S132°30′E / 23.700°S 132.500°E /-23.700; 132.500
Geology
Rock age	Carboniferous

MacDonnell Ranges Northern Territory
Theinterim Australian bioregions, with the MacDonnell Ranges in red
Area	39,294 km2 (15,171.5 sq mi)
Localities around MacDonnell Ranges: Great Sandy Desert Burt Plain Channel Country Great Sandy Desert MacDonnell Ranges Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields Great Sandy Desert Finke Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields

The ranges were named after SirRichard MacDonnell (theGovernor of South Australia at the time) byJohn McDouall Stuart, whose 1860 expedition reached them in April of that year. TheHorn Expedition investigated the ranges as part of the scientific expedition into central Australia. Other explorers of the range includedDavid Lindsay andJohn Ross.

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

The highest peaks areMount Zeil with an elevation of 1,531 metres (5,023 ft)AHD,Mount Liebig at 1,524 metres (5,000 ft) AHD,Mount Edward at 1,423 metres (4,669 ft),Mount Giles at 1,389 metres (4,557 ft) andMount Sonder at 1,380 metres (4,530 ft) AHD; the five highest mountains in the Northern Territory.^[4] Theheadwaters of theTodd,Finke andSandover rivers form in the MacDonnell Ranges. The range is crossed by theAustralian Overland Telegraph Line, theStuart Highway and theAdelaide–Darwin rail corridor at theHeavitree Gap, awater gap created by the Todd River, at the southern entrance to Alice Springs.

Some 300-350 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 redquartzite peaks and gorges. Other rock types includegranite,limestone,sandstone andsiltstone.^[5] Some of the valleys of the range contain fossil evidence of theinland sea that once covered central Australia.^[5]

Part of theCentral Ranges xeric scrubecoregion of dry scrubby grassland,^[6] the ranges are home to a large number of endemic species that includes the centralian tree frogLitoria gilleni. This is mostly due to themicro climates that are found around the cold rock pools.

TheWest 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 theLarapinta Trail.

To the east of Alice Springs, within an hour's drive, are sites important to the localArrernte people, many of which contain examples of Aboriginalrock art. These includeEmily Gap,Jessie Gap,Trephina Gorge andN’Dhala Gorge.

To the west of Alice Springs is theLarapinta 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 areSimpsons Gap,Standley Chasm,Ellery Creek Big Hole,Serpentine Gorge,Ochre Pits,Ormiston Pound,Redbank Gorge,Glen Helen Gorge,Mount Sonder andMount Giles.

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  From the Larapinta Trail near Glen Helen
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  Ellery Creek Big Hole
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  Ellery Creek andriver red gum trees
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  Ochre pits
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  Simpsons Gap
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  Serpentine Gorge

• Geography of Australia
• List of mountains in Australia
• Pine Gap
• Western Arrernte
• N'Dhala Gorge Nature Park
• Heavitree Gap

• Arrernte art