The Dawkins family established extensive farms in the Gawler River area in the early 19th century. Its discovery is reported in the Register, 1 December 1838, page 3c and that of a "splendid tract at the mouth of the River Gawler" on 2 March 1839, page 8a,
Register, 7 January 1892, page 8b:
We rejoice to inform our readers that another fresh water river, within a distance of forty-five miles from Adelaide has been discovered by Mr. T. Bewes Strangways and Mr. S. Blunden... The stream contains at least three times the body of water of the Torrens and runs through a country of surpassing beauty and fertility...
The Dawkins' Newbold Stud is credited with being first to develop the Poll Dorest breed of sheep, which is one of Australia's most important sheep meat breeds.
The Gawler River church, originally named "Stone Hill" was built in 1854, one of the earliest stone churches in the Gawler area.