It has been rated the most dangerous place in the world outside a war zone, a tropical island ravaged by alcoholism, riots and racial tension.
But the Aboriginal inhabitants of Palm Island, off the coast of Queensland, believe they can transform their home land from a place of notoriety to a holiday paradise.
The enterprising residents want to junk the island's image of dysfunction and despair and entice tourists with horse treks, Aboriginal artwork, snorkeling, swimming and second world war wrecks.
One of Australia's largest indigenous communities, Palm Island is just 57km and a two-hour ferry ride from the coastal city of Townsville, but until now tourism has been virtually non-existent.
The 64-sq-km island boasts palm-fringed bays, rainforest and crystal-clear waters, but outsiders have been intimidated by its chronic social problems.
Unemployment among its 3,500 residents runs at 90 per cent. The number of murders and suicides was so high that in 1999 the island was ranked by Guinness World Records as the planet's most dangerous place outside a combat zone.
'You mention Palm Island to people and they think of riots and violence,' said Pauline Shortjoe, an islander who is planning to set up a horse trekking venture. 'But it's a beautiful place, very calm and peaceful. We need to get away from that bad image.'
