The River Torrens (Karrawirra Parri) is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. The river is named after Colonel Robert Torrens, chairman of the colonial commissioners and a significant figure in the city's founding. The river is also known by the native Kaurna name for the river as it flows through the Adelaide parklands – Karrawirra Parri (karra meaning redgum, wirra meaning forest and parri meaning river).

Angas Gardens is situated next to the River Torrens in North Adelaide. It is a riverfront park with walking paths and a pair of sculptures honoring historic Australian figures. Located east off King William Road between War Memorial Drive and the River Torrens, the gardens feature the JH and GF Angas Statue and Memorial by WR Cotton (1915),[23] and Robert Hannaford's statue of Simpson and his donkey. The gardens are named after South Australian pioneers and pastoralists John Howard Angas and George Fife Angas.