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Macdonnell Ranges Overview

The MacDonnell Ranges are the craggy, eroded remains of mountains that once stretched as high as the Himalayas. Today, they cradle Alice Springs, and their sandstone precipices break up the plains of the rolling red center. Distant shots of their fuzzy shrubs and soft pastels have inspired watercolors and postcards for years, but get closer on a walking trail and you’ll find sunburnt country—rusty orange earth, prickly ground cover, and glowing white ghost gums.

  • Area: 460km.
  • Features: West MacDonnell NP along Namatjira Dr., Finke Gorge NP off Larapinta Dr., and several nature parks in the eastern ranges.
  • Highlights: Hikes, swims, and views.
  • Gateways: Alice Springs .
  • Camping:  Available but limited. Check with a tour agency in Alice Springs before setting out for any camping trip.
  • Fees: A small fee is charged only at Standley Chasm and the Hermannsburg Historical Precinct .



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