MacDonnell Ranges

MacDonnell
Range
This Landsat image shows how the northern and southern parts of Alice Springs are connected by Heavitree Gap that passes through the MacDonnell Ranges.
Country	Australia
State	Northern Territory
Highest point
- location	Mount Zeil
- elevation	1,531 m (5,023 ft)
Length	644 km (400 mi), E/W
Period	Carboniferous

The MacDonnell Ranges of the Northern Territory, are a 644 km (400 mile) long series of mountain ranges located in the centre of Australia (23°42′S 132°30′E / 23.7°S 132.5°E / -23.7; 132.5), and consist of parallel ridges running to the east and west of Alice Springs. The mountain range contain 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 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. Some pools are so cold that hypothermia can set in after a few minutes of swimming.^[1]

The MacDonnell Ranges were often depicted in the paintings of Albert Namatjira.^[2]

Geography

The highest peaks are Mount Zeil (1,531 m AHD/ 5,023 ft), Mount Giles (1389 m) and Mount Sonder (1,380 m / 4,528 ft). These are the tallest mountains in the Northern Territory.^[3] The MacDonnell Ranges are the headwaters of the Todd River, Finke River and Sandover Rivers. 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.^[3] Since that time, folding, faulting and erosion have shaped the range and created numerous gaps and gorges.^[3][1] 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.^[1] Some of the valleys of the range contain fossil evidence of the inland sea that once covered central Australia.^[1]

Tourist attractions

Simpsons Gap

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Ochre Pits

View along the West MacDonnell Ranges from the Larapinta Trail, near Glen Helen

The West MacDonnell National Park was established in 1984 to protect the numerous parks and reserves of the range.^[1] 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
• 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 along the backbone of the range.^[1]
• 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

See also

Australia portal

• List of mountains in Australia
• Pine Gap
• Western Arrernte

References

External links

• Arrernte art
• Equirectangular image of Ellery Creek Water Hole
• Lookout, West MacDonnell Ranges
• Purple Ridge, West MacDonnell Ranges