Tip to Somerset and the 5 Beaches Drive

After reaching the top it was recommended that we see Somerset Beach and experience the 5 beaches drive whilst we were here.

A short stroll on the beach and we were heading to Somerset Beach to explore.

We snapped this Egret in flight on the beach before leaving the tip and noticed later that he was after something...

 

Not sure if he got his meal, though I wouldn't like to be the little fella in front

 

The famous thong wall at Somerset. Looks like leaving anything is OK, even your reg grundies if you're wearing any :)

 

Frank Jardines Grave at Somerset

In the late 1800s, the father of Frank Jardine was sent here from Rockhampton as the first settler of Cape York. He only lived here for a few years but then Frank took over, married a Samoan princess, had kids and lived here until he died in 1919. His wife died a few years later.

 

 

Somerset beach

The northern end leads to a sand bluff where we hoped to find some Aboriginal Rock Art

Rocky walk around the northern headland to the bluff and looking back

Nearly there!

Rough going getting there but worth it, interesting sand stone formation too.

We found the art work, not sure on its age.

 

The folowing shots we took along the way during the track called 5 beaches

Aptly named as you literally drive down onto each beach seperated by scenic headlands.

 



 

Lunch on the beach with our Punsand friends from Vic, they were camped next to us and were three months into a round Australia trip, how cool!

Some random road workers grundies nailed to a tree in the car park at Somerset.

 

 

 

Below, the Pubaju Fishing Resort, opposite Somerset beach. At around 3k pp for a 4 day stint... you would want to catch a few decent fish I think for that!

 

The locals had an interesting story about the owner, a French guy and his wife were running the resort until she ran off with some random. He just shut shop and sailed away for three yrs before returning and starting things up once more... as you do I guess.

 

Back at Punsand and time for one of Helga's frosty scooners after a long day exploring the tip, thx Helga!

 

Punsand Bay and the Tip



1st night at Punsand Bay, we met the chef at the Corrugation Bar and he didn't need to do much convincing... Barra and Prawns for dinner!

Our powered site, and plenty of shade! The amenities were close, Kaz got to wash clothes... all good :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

View from our tent and Kaz looking for Internets... I think she found a little bit. Unpowered sites are right on the beach front. some with fire circles.

Punsand Beach

 

 

Chopper joy flights off the beach.

 

Beach side huts are available, though they were hot later in the day and not very private.

 

 

This sign below marked a shortcut track from Punsand Bay to the tip though provided a little suprise due to recent rain!

 

 

 

Do I go left or right?

 

Hmmm STUCK! Should have gone right... But look at that nice big tree ahead...Winch time!!

 

 

Winched out in around 5min. Was a real mud bog.

 

Some swamp water to deal with in the cab when we get back to camp :|

 

 

Another creek crossing, great wetlands to drive through. This was the last one to navigate.

 

 We made the main road to the tip and pulled into the pajinka Resort Ruins to take a look.

After the locals took over it went to ruins, still, the bar was open :)

 

Two peanuts walk into a bar. One was a salted. :)

 

 

After Pajinka it's a little further via some nice rain forest to the top!

 

Car Park, You can drive onto the beach from here too.



 

Beach walk to the tip

 

View along the way to the north

 

 

Stone pyramids mark the way. We finished this one off!

 

 

WE MADE IT... YAY!!!

 

Always a crowd around!

 

 

Passing war ship "HMAS Stop the F#$%ing Boats"

 

 









Destination Reached

 













Day 10 Arriving at Punsand Bay

After having some 4x4 fun on the OTL we pushed on to Punsand Bay hoping to land a camp site as we hadn't booked in there. As school holidays hadn't started yet we were hopeful, and word of mouth is everything up here when deciding where to stay and play, Punsand was a popular choice with people we  met making their way back.





Punsand Bay at last... 1st stop. the corrugation bar and a cold one, and tap beer this far north... thx Helga!



We arrived around mid afternoon and were able to get a powered site to give the aux battery a rest. Most camp sites up here were around the 25 to 28 bucks a night.

A must stop, the people running the tent were great getting information off about places to stay, track conditions and things to do!



Jardine Ferry
Cars were $130ea this season return ticket, I reckon this little ferry pulls around 8k a day on average.



One of the few remaining old tele line poles standing





Sam Creek Crossing, winding our way north



 

 



Canal Creek Camp

Overnight at Canal Creek

 

Camp Site beside the creek

 

Stream running beside camp

 



little falls



Under Canal Creek

Bath TIME!

Something freaky reaching out of our fire!!!

 

Venus Fly Trap

 

 

 

Some local flora

 



Kaz walking the crossing

 

 

Crossing the Creek, heading north.

 

 

Creek Exit