Hindmarsh Island could soon be home to a world class eco-village, attracting local and international tourists to explore the nearby national parks and wildlife corridors.

A property owner has proposed Island Heights, a 600-acre resort on the northern side of the island, nestled within the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Currently used as grazing land for cattle, the newly released Concept Plans highlights the phased release of up to 200 tourist chalets spread throughout a rejuvenated landscape.

The self-sustainable facility would use solar panels and freshwater harvesting solutions, as well as a cutting-edge wastewater treatment plant to improve the environment.

This will reduce nutrient runoff from the village and nearby grazing properties, as well as boost the productive capacity of surrounding land and the recovery and resilience of land through a wetland’s irrigation system.

Following the State Government’s recent acquisition of Mundoo, Ewe and Long Islands, and expected expansion of the Coorong National Park, Island Heights presents a unique accommodation opportunity close to internationally recognised natural environments.

Mundoo Island and Island Heights are both parts of the same regional transformation story: one focused on restoration and conservation and the other on low impact, eco-sensitive tourism that supports conservation outcomes and visitor education.

Island Heights welcomes the State Government’s policy direction – to protect biodiversity, restore degraded landscapes, improve water quality at the Murray Mouth and strengthen climate resistance.

Biodiversity protection and celebrating the natural environment is at the heart of the proposal. The project’s restoration activities will benefit a suite of threatened and migratory species that depend on the unique habitats of Hindmarsh Island and the broader Coorong and Lower Lakes ecosystem.

As the State restores the ecological heart of the Murray Mouth, Island Heights provides the eco-sensitive accommodation and community infrastructure that allows people to experience, learn from, and support that restoration.

Designed as a low-density, eco-sensitive accommodation that preserves the region’s character, the self-sustainable community will integrate conservation zones, regenerative agriculture, and ecotourism.

The resort’s design includes community walking trails and board walks to allow for water sports, fishing and bird watching – as well as cultural education inspired by the Ngarrindjeri community.

The proposed South Australian tourism attraction will acknowledge and celebrate known cultural heritage sites adjacent to the property, supported by local Aboriginal Rangers.

Island Heights will attract domestic and international visitors to boost local tourism and to help reinforce the region as a holiday destination of choice, providing an economic injection and jobs for the Fleurieu Peninsula and broader South Australian communities.

Key features of the project include:

• Eco-Sensitive Design: Accommodation clusters along high value view corridors, with conservation zones protecting wetlands, coastal habitats, and cultural areas.
• Sustainable Living: Renewable energy, water harvesting, and advanced wastewater management to minimise environmental impact.
• Community Benefits: Local jobs in construction, ecotourism, and small-scale agribusiness; opportunities for young families and workforce housing/participation.
• Cultural Respect: Partnership with Ngarrindjeri representatives to integrate heritage and cultural landscapes.
• Climate Resilience: Planning for sea level rise, flood risk, and fire safety through defensible space and emergency access routes and protecting wetlands, coastal habitats.

The proposal aligns with Alexandrina Council’s Economic Development Strategy and supports South Australia’s priorities in environment, tourism, and regional development.

The landowners are engaging with the Alexandrina Council, State Government, and prospective development partners to progress the proposal through the appropriate planning pathways. 

Tim Lebbon, Project Director Island Heights:

“Our family has owned most of this property for more than twenty years and aspire to develop and rejuvenate the land, to leave a lasting legacy for the community to enjoy.”

“With the expansion of the globally significant Coorong National Park, Island Heights is a logical location for supporting eco-sensitive accommodation and infrastructure.”

“This accommodation facility supports the region’s conservation, tourism, and cultural goals,  without compromising the environmental values being restored.”

“The unique charm of the Hindmarsh Island inspires us, it’s climate, convenience to nearby townships and Adelaide, and the diversity of environmentally focused activities.”

“Above all we see the potential to create world-class accommodation that provides access to the best that Hindmarsh Island has to offer and reinforces the region as a premium tourism accommodation.”

“When guests step out of their chalets, they’ll be greeted by river and lagoon frontage and panoramic views of the River Murray, nestled amongst a landscape of wilderness corridors and vegetation.”

“The beautiful surrounding country is part of the 142,500-hectare Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Ramsar Wetland, an internationally recognised site, and home to 65 threatened species.”

“Imagine just one hour south of Adelaide, stepping out from the comfortable surroundings of your cabin, to immediately immerse yourself amongst a world class wilderness area.”

Keith Parkes, Mayor of the Alexandrina Council:

“I have had the privilege of being briefed regarding the Island Heights Eco-Village concept on Hindmarsh Island and I have invited the Island Heights team to present their vision to Council at a public Information Session.”

“Providing a balance of appropriate economic and tourism opportunities, environmental stewardship and cultural education, is a vision that we share.”

A property overview, site maps, and concept images are available: https://islandheights.com.au/

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