Commonly people ignore Willaston, thinking it is just another suburb. People reckon the history stops at the bridge. Fact is, Willaston has its own unique story. It started as a separate settlement with its own businesses and community. Heading north is entering a different precinct of our heritage.
Property seekers looking for value, Willaston is often a great choice. It offers the same historic cottages as Gawler proper, often on huge lots, but sometimes at a cheaper rate. It is quiet, yet you are only a stone's throw from Murray Street. Great location.
The Identity of Willaston
The suburb began as a gateway for traffic heading to the mines. As a result, it has a strong history of trade. Hotels and inns sprang up to serve travelers. The hotel is a example of this era, still serving the community today.
The atmosphere is slightly more country than Gawler Central. Big streets, and there is a airiness. You see mix of pioneer homes and 1950s houses. The blend gives Willaston a down to earth feel. A true neighborhood where folks know each other.
The last decade have seen a renewal in Willaston. Young families are moving in, fixing up the old cottages. Coffee shops are popping up. It is turning into a sought after spot because the position to the main road is so good for drivers.
Willaston Bridge
The Willaston Bridge is more than just a road; it is a landmark. Connecting Gawler to Willaston over the North Para, it has seen floods and rebuilds over the decades. Standing on the bridge gives you a great view of the river banks.
Years ago, this was the funnel for all traffic going north. Carts would thunder across here. Nowadays, it handles vehicles, but the bridge still reminds us of its significance. Locals enjoy for photos, especially when the river is flowing.
Close by, you can find walking trails that dip down to the water. It creates a nice path for residents to stroll to shops. The link provided by the bridge is what makes Willaston feel so part of to Gawler, despite being separate.
Willaston Cemetery
Cemeteries are often the best museums of a town. This site is no exception. Here lie many of the early settlers who built Gawler. Strolling through reveals names you see on street signs all over town.
Management has released an online tool for the cemetery. You can to search specific graves or research the people buried there. Useful tool for genealogists. Instead of wandering aimlessly, you can go straight to the sites.
The design itself is peaceful. Native vegetation provide shade. A spot for reflection. Visitors buried there, reading the stones gives you a sense of the reality of early colonial life, with many young children and short lives recorded.
Willaston's Industry
Willaston's fame for its brick making. The clay soil here was perfect for firing bricks. Many of the red bricks you see in structures likely came from local yards. The trade employed many and drove the economy.
Remnants remain in the terrain. Excavations have sometimes been converted parks or building sites. The history explains why the land shape looks the way it does in some parts. Hard working area, not just a sleeping spot.
Lime production was another industry. The smoke would have been a constant backdrop in the 1800s. Currently, Willaston is clean and green, but knowing its industrial roots adds meaning to the suburb. It used to be tough a quiet place; it was a industrial zone.
Connecting with the Greater Barossa Region
Positioned on the fringe of Gawler. This makes it the gateway to the vineyards. You are minutes from the wineries. Being here means you can go for wine tasting on a Sunday afternoon.
Main North Road bypasses the center now, but access is still easy. Workers heading to the Renmark, Willaston is the jumping off point. It retains that rural vibe because to the north is fields.
Ultimately, Willaston offers a great spot. Central but close to rural. For real estate, it is often underpriced. Look here as it continues to rise.
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