The highest peaks are Mount Zeil with an elevation of AHD, Mount Liebig at AHD, Mount Edward at , Mount Giles at and Mount Sonder at 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 at the Heavitree Gap, a water gap created by the Todd River, at the southern entrance to Alice Springs.