Swan Island is now controlled by the Commonwealth Department of Defence. The eastern part of the Island is a high security military facility and training area reportedly used by Australia’s Special Forces (SAS) and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS).
The base is a prohibited area and cannot be entered or approached by sea without approval from the Commonwealth Government. Access to the Island is restricted by security at Bridge Street although access with identification is permitted to the Queenscliff Golf Club located on the western side of the island and the Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club located on the sandspit.
A high level of secrecy surrounds the military activities undertaken on the Swan Island base, but various media reports indicate that these may include counterterrorism, counter-insurgency, guerrilla warfare and weapons training as well as top-secret briefings.
