West MacDonnell Ranges

MacDonnell
Glen Helen Gorge in the MacDonnell Ranges
Highest point
Peak	Mount Zeil
Elevation	1,531 m (5,023 ft) AHD
Coordinates	23°22′59″S 132°22′59″E / 23.38306°S 132.38306°E / -23.38306; 132.38306
Dimensions
Length	644 km (400 mi) E/W
Naming
Etymology	Sir Richard MacDonnell
Geography
Location of the MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory
Country	Australia
Territory	Northern Territory
Region	Alice Springs
Range coordinates	23°42′S 132°30′E / 23.700°S 132.500°E / -23.700; 132.500Coordinates: 23°42′S 132°30′E / 23.700°S 132.500°E / -23.700; 132.500
Geology
Age of rock	Carboniferous

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: Great Sandy Desert Burt Plain Channel Country Great Sandy Desert MacDonnell Ranges Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields Great Sandy Desert Finke Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields

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). 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.

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, Mount Edward at 1,423 metres (4,669 ft), Mount 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. 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.