town, South Australia, northeast of Adelaide. It lies at the confluence of the North and South Para rivers (which there form the Gawler River), at the western foot of the Mt. Lofty Ranges. Surveyed in 1839, it was named after George Gawler, governor and resident commissioner in South Australia (1838–41), and was proclaimed a municipality in 1857. Fast becoming a dormitory town for Adelaide 25 miles (40 km) south, it also serves as a marketing centre for a district producing wheat, fruits, sheep, dairy products, wine grapes, and flowers. Industries include flour milling, wine making, and the manufacture of agricultural machinery, clothing, cement, and bricks. Roseworthy Agricultural College is 7 miles (11 km) north, and Parra Wirra Recreational Park and Sandy Creek Conservation Park are nearby. Pop. (2006) 18,913.