MacDonnell Ranges

Coordinates: 23°42′S 132°30′E / 23.700°S 132.500°E / -23.700; 132.500
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

MacDonnell Ranges
Glen Helen Gorge in the MacDonnell Ranges
Highest point
PeakMount Zeil
Elevation1,531 m (5,023 ft)
AHD 
Coordinates23°22′59″S 132°22′59″E / 23.38306°S 132.38306°E / -23.38306; 132.38306
Dimensions
Length644 km (400 mi) E/W
Naming
EtymologySir Richard MacDonnell
Native nameTjoritja (Arrernte language)
Geography
MacDonnell Ranges is located in Northern Territory
MacDonnell Ranges
Location of the MacDonnell Ranges
in the Northern Territory
CountryAustralia
Alice Springs
Range coordinates23°42′S 132°30′E / 23.700°S 132.500°E / -23.700; 132.500
Geology
Age of rockCarboniferous
MacDonnell Ranges
Northern Territory
The interim Australian bioregions,
with the MacDonnell Ranges in red
Area39,294 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, or Tjoritja in

Aboriginal
significance.

The ranges were named after Sir

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

Adelaide–Darwin rail corridor at the Heavitree Gap, a water gap
created by the Todd River, at the southern entrance to Alice Springs.

Geology

See also: Alice Springs Orogeny

Some 300-350 million years ago a mountain building event created the MacDonnell Ranges.

inland sea that once covered central Australia.[5]

Ecology

Part of 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 hour's 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 are Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Serpentine Gorge, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Pound, Redbank Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, Mount Sonder and Mount Giles.

Gallery

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

See also

References

  1. Australian Government. Archived from the original
    on 5 September 2006. Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  2. ^ IBRA Version 6.1 Archived 2006-09-08 at the Wayback Machine data
  3. Fairfax Digital
    . Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  4. ^ a b c "Rangelands - Overview - MacDonnell Ranges". Australian Natural Resources Atlas. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  5. ^
    ISBN 1-875992-47-2
    .
  6. ^ World Wildlife Fund, ed. (2001). "Central Ranges xeric scrub". WildWorld Ecoregion Profile. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MacDonnell_Ranges&oldid=1185836182"