Somerset River CamPost Office opened on 5 November 1864. It was renamed Somerset Cam around 1934 and Somerset in 1963.
Geography
Somerset is located on estuary on the western bank of the Cam River midway between the township of Wynyard and the city ofBurnie. The Cam River is the borderline of where the Waratah-Wynyard Council meets the City of Burnie. A beach stretches along the full length of the Somerset coastline from the Cam River to the far western outskirts. Somerset has three parks, each with a playground. These are ANZAC Park, The Cam River Reserve, and Plover Park.
Climate
The temperature in summer ranges from 12.5 °C to 21 °C, with drier days as warm as 30 °C, and around 16 hours of sunlight per day. In winter, temperatures range from 6 °C to 13 °C, and only 8 hours of sunlight.
Demographics
At the, Somerset had a population of approximately 3,900. However in 2011 Somerset had a total population of 3975.
Economy
There are a number of small businesses in Somerset with almost all along the main street. Notable industries in Somerset include: Gunns Veneers, which is one of only three production facilities in Australasia. Gunns Veneers is Australasia’s largest producer of sliced veneers and the world’s largest producer of Eucalypt veneers. The Burnie branch of William Adams. William Adams is a CAT Rental Dealer as well as a servicing department. They specialize in the repairing, maintenance and modifications of heavy machinery used for mining, forestry and agriculture.
Media
is the local newspaper for the region, with its press and mailroom located in Burnie. Somerset has access to all major television stations, including: ABC, SBS, WIN and Southern Cross.
Somerset does not have a public high school or college. There is one public primary school in Somerset, Somerset Primary School, located at the site of the old West Somerset Primary School, after the two schools merged. There is one private school in Somerset, the Burnie branch of Australian Christian College, which is located on the outskirts of the town on Seabrook Road.
Transport
Somerset is connected to the surrounding areas by the Bass Highway which runs through the town following the coast. Somerset is also connected to the West Coast by the Murchison Highway which begins beside the Cam River. The only public transport in the area is Metro Tasmania which offers bus services from Wynyard to Burnie. The Burnie Airport is located in the township of Wynyard, a 15-minute drive away.
