We engaged tourism and cultural experts to come up with a long-term vision for Pental Island. We are excited to share with you the concepts that they have proposed. This project will, as always, be subject to community feedback and the ability to secure funding in the future.

Pental Island is an inclusive, Aboriginal-led place for strengthening and sharing local Aboriginal cultural connections to Country. It is respected as a place for fostering economic development and delivering immersive cultural and nature based experiences for local people and visitors.

Framed by the Little Murray and Marraboor Rivers, Pental Island is a cultural space in the heart of Swan Hill.

The eight‑hectare parcel of Crown Land holds several key values – Aboriginal cultural connections, native flora and fauna and linkages to Swan Hill’s Pioneer Settlement via a pedestrian footbridge.

Please, have a read of the below proposal, and let us know your ideas, concerns, or support, for each of the proposed areas - in the 'Share your feedback' box.

Community members may also like to call in between 10am and 12pm on Wednesday, 19 July, at the Swan Hill Information Centre, to find out more or register their interest in the project. No RSVP required.

Our hope is for Pental Island to be re‑imagined as a community led Aboriginal tourism precinct, incorporating the following three stages:

Area 1 is the priority delivery stage as the enabler for the local Aboriginal Community to commence delivering cultural, tourism and educational experiences.

Some ideas for stage 1 include:

• Caring for Country Program
• Cultural Awareness Training
• Education Programs
• Pental Island Cultural Tours
• Bushtucker dining experience

Area 2 further enhances opportunities for the local Aboriginal Community to connect to Country, deliver land management programs and increase the product range with a Tree-Tops adventure course experience. This stage will also work in with the existing ‘Caring for Country’ program as identified in Stage 1, which is essential for delivering a holistic Pental Island natural and cultural experience that benefits both the local Aboriginal Community and visitors.

Some ideas for stage 2 include:

• Native bush tucker garden and nursery
• Tree Top Adventure Climb / Nature Play Adventure Playground

Area 3 delivers an all immersive Pental Island experience – for community, for culture, for Country, for visitors and the Swan Hill identity. Area three provides a Cultural Camping Area with opportunities for on Country community knowledge and culture sharing camps, education camps and a more exclusive ‘camping with custodians’ visitor experience that connects with all other proposed products.

Some ideas for stage 3 include:

• Cultural retreat (overnight)
• On Country camp