Pental Island
VIC 3586 • Victoria
About Pental Island
Pental Island is a rural locality and river island in north-western Victoria, situated approximately 21 kilometres south-east of Swan Hill in the Murray River region. The island is formed by the Murray River to the north and the Little Murray (Marraboor) River to the south, covering around 79 square kilometres of mostly flat agricultural land. Known to the Wemba Wemba people as Pakaruk, the island has deep Aboriginal cultural significance and was one of the first areas in the region to be settled by European farmers. With just 159 residents recorded in the 2021 census, it remains one of Victoria's most sparsely populated localities.
Pental Island is predominantly an agricultural area with irrigation farming, cattle grazing and horticulture forming the economic backbone of the community. Two bridges connect the island to the Victorian mainland — one at Swan Hill to the west and another at Fish Point to the east — making it accessible despite its island setting. The Pental Island Holiday Park offers river frontage accommodation attracting visitors seeking Murray River fishing and camping experiences. Residents rely on Swan Hill for all major services, shopping and education, a short drive across the bridge.
Pental Island falls under postcode 3586 and is governed by the Swan Hill Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Farrer, while state elections fall under the Murray Plains (Northern Victoria) electorate.
Location
Ad
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 3586
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3586 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3586; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Swan Hill town services — Swan Hill CBD No direct service; car required
Commute to Swan Hill CBD
🛣️ Swan Hill is the nearest service centre for shopping, health care and education. No public transport serves the island directly.
A remote rural island accessible only by two road bridges. All daily needs require a car trip to Swan Hill.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
-
Cunninyeuk Rd
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest rates for the Swan Hill Local Government Area, which contains Pental Island. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria