Eleven k from Pajenka, the turn off to Somerset veeres to the left, so did we. Another 7k on, after another rainforest drive, we turned onto the road that takes you to the beaches. Around the headland of Narau beach followed the road down the hill side to a point overlooking Nanthau Beach. The ground was not very level, but we found a reasonable spot at the bottom near the road. No one about, and spectacular views, convinced us to stay.
Stands of Pandanas were dotted about the rocky shoreline. Strong gusts of wind blustered in from the ocean, we didn’t mind, everything on Ned was secured and the wind fought oof the heat and even the most determined mozzie or sand fly could not compete against that wind.
While sitting in the doorway and looking at the sea and shoreline, turtles could be seen raising their heads for gulps of air as they foraged for food amongst the rocks. Glimpses of them could be had as the sun shone through the swells, they seemed to surf the waves underwater.
The track that continues on to Somerset from there winds across headlands and down onto beaches. A couple we met at the turtle beach camp came by and stopped for a chat and informed us the track was very tight in places and it would be hard for us to get through. With this information on board, we decided to back track and get to Somerset by the main road. Glad we came this way to have a look.
Somerset, the site of a former cattle station and the first administrative centre at Cape York established in 1864 by John Jardine, who the river is named after.
There is a camp site on the beach, which we called into. A beautiful spot with mangroves at each end of the beach and Albany Island not far away.
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