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Gawler has a long and rich heritage beginning with the Kaura people, who are recognised as the Town's original inhabitants. The Kaura (pronounced "garna") people are the traditional custodians of Adelaide and the Adelaide Plains, including the land that is now the Town of Gawler. 

Following European Settlement, the Town of Gawler became South Australia's first regional settlement. Gawler and Adelaide are the only two South Australian settlements that were surveyed by Colonel William Light. 

Light's plan for Gawler included streets aligned with local topography and broad parklands on the major river floodplains, reflecting his design of Adelaide. His Gawler Special Survey encompassed 4,000 acres of land along the North Para, South Para and Gawler rivers. The Church Hill State Heritage Area, part of the plan devised by Light, Finniss and Co., is one of the best examples of mid0nineteenth century town planning in South Australia. 

Gawler's history is evident through its built and natural form including its striking architecture, heritage collections, natural riverine environments, large areas of open space and traditional nineteenth century Main Street. Today the local community benefits from its surrounds and this rich history is personified through many community events and festivals. 

As their population grows the Town of Gawler has implemented thoughtful planning to create a pace that is functional for the modern needs of the town while being respectful to cultural and built heritage.