[3] Because of its geographical similarities, the first European colonists likened the development potential of the site of Wellington to that of New Orleans.

In 1839 the London-based Secondary Towns Association, represented in Adelaide by John Morphett and John Hill, authorised expenditure on the special survey a proposed town to be named Wellington, with prior consent of the Duke of Wellington himself.

Despite never having seen the land except on a map, the directors of the Association had great hopes for Wellington becoming an important town.

Servicing the local pastoral district, it soon had a school, police station, and hotels, but it never prospered beyond township status.

The government of South Australia has stated its intention to build a weir at or near Wellington, despite opposition from environmental groups.