With a history of mining and agriculture, the town of Gawler now stands as a shining example of 19th-century South Australian architecture and culture. Blended with contemporary shopping strips, museums and tranquil parks, Gawler offers a relaxing break from the busy urban enclaves of nearby Adelaide.
Things to do in Gawler
Public squares form the heart of Gawler, highlighting 1830s architectural structures within the Church Hill State Heritage Area, where it’s possible to join a historical walking tour. The main thoroughfare of Murray Street holds dozens of heritage buildings, pubs and hotels, while the National Trust Museum reveals life in Gawler’s pioneer days. After exploring the past, you can relax in Pioneer Park at the north end of Murray Street.
Gawler embraces its open spaces such as Clonlea Park and Reserve, filled with picnickers and cyclists traversing dedicated bikeway tracks. To view the scenic North and South Para rivers, take the Gawler Rivers Path with interpretive panels identifying significant natural features of the river, foliage and native birds.
Be sure to “whisper out loud” at the Barossa Reservoir on Williamstown Road, about 10 kilometres outside Gawler and home to the famous Whispering Wall. Due to its sound waves that reflect around the wall’s curve, you can hear people speaking from a distance of more than 140 metres. It’s a nice stroll along the wall and into thick vegetation areas for picnics and bird watching.
Getting around Gawler
Trains from Adelaide connect to Gawler Central Station and continue with stops through the area. Buses service the main parts of Gawler as well, and Metro cards allow you to travel on trains and buses within Adelaide and Gawler. The historical squares in Old Town Gawler are pedestrian-friendly, and taxis are readily available.