Most people are wrong about Willaston, thinking it is just a drive-through. They think the history stops at the Gawler boundary. But the truth is, Willaston has its own separate history. It started as a separate village with its own hotels and pride. Crossing the bridge is entering a new zone of our heritage.
House hunters looking for value, Willaston is often a great choice. One finds the same character as Gawler proper, often on big yards, but sometimes at a better price point. Peaceful, yet you are only a stone's throw from Murray Street. Great location.
Willaston is More Than Just a Suburb
The area grew as a stopping point for traffic heading up country. As a result, it has a strong history of trade. Inns sprang up to feed and water travelers. The Willaston Hotel is a relic of this era, still serving the locals today.
The atmosphere is slightly more laid back than Gawler Central. It feels spacious, and there is a room. Look for mix of old shacks and bungalows. Eclectic mix gives Willaston a down to earth feel. An authentic neighborhood where folks know each other.
The last decade have seen a change in Willaston. First home buyers are moving in, updating the old cottages. New businesses are popping up. It's now a sought after spot because the position to the freeway is so good for workers.
Crossing the River
The bridge is more than just a road; it is a landmark. Bridging Gawler to Willaston over the creek, it has seen disasters and changes over the decades. Walking across gives you a great view of the river banks.
Historically, this was the funnel for all traffic going north. Horses would thunder across here. Now, it handles traffic, but the structure still reminds us of its history. Locals enjoy for photos, especially when the river is flowing.
Nearby, you can find river walks that dip down to the water. You have a nice circuit for residents to walk into town. Access provided by the bridge is what makes Willaston feel so part of to Gawler, despite being separate.
Visiting the Willaston General Cemetery
Burial grounds are often the best museums of a town. This site is no exception. It holds many of the founders who built Gawler. Looking at headstones reveals names you see on parks all over town.
The Council has released an app for the cemetery. You can to search specific graves or discover the people buried there. Great resource for descendants. Instead of searching blindly, you can go straight to the McKinlay monument.
The grounds itself is peaceful. Native vegetation provide shade. It is a place for remembering. Even if you don't know anyone buried there, reading the plaques gives you a sense of the life of early colonial life, with many young children and accidents recorded.
Willaston's Industry
Willaston's fame for its brick making. The ground here was perfect for brick production. Red brick you see in local homes likely came from here. This industry employed locals and drove the economy.
Remnants remain in the landscape. Quarry sites have sometimes been changed to parks or building sites. Knowing this explains why the ground looks the way it does in some parts. It was a working village, not just a sleeping spot.
Lime production was another industry. The smoke would have been a constant backdrop in the 1800s. Now, Willaston is quiet, but knowing its gritty past adds depth to the suburb. It was once a quiet place; it was a maker's village.
Gateway to the Barossa
It is located on the boundary of Gawler. It acts as the launch pad to the wine region. Short drive from vineyards. Being here means you can go for wine tasting on a Sunday afternoon.
The highway bypasses the center now, but the connection is still easy. People heading to the country, Willaston is the jumping off point. It retains that country town feel because to the north is farmland.
In summary, Willaston offers a handy position. handy to shops but close to rural. Buying here, it is often a sleeper. Monitor this area as it continues to rise.
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