Coastal home in north-west Tasmania by Davies Design & Construction

Building in Somerset

North-west coast surf community of 4,067 residents — at the mouth of the Cam River between Wynyard and Burnie, with a new 13.2 km coastal pathway completed 2024.

The Place

Coast, River, and Community

Somerset sits on Tasmania's north-west coast at the mouth of the Cam River, where it meets Bass Strait. The Cam River estuary forms the natural eastern boundary of the community — across the river is Burnie, the region's largest city. Wynyard is approximately 15 kilometres to the west. Somerset is its own community: approximately 4,067 residents (ABS 2021), a surf break, a Surf Life Saving Club, and the Cam River Reserve threading along its eastern edge.

The beach anchors social life. The Somerset Surf Life Saving Club has been part of the community for generations, and the surf break draws wave-riders from across the north-west. The foreshore is accessible, family-friendly, and a short walk from most residential streets. In October 2024 the community gained a 13.2-kilometre dedicated asphalt coastal pathway running along the former railway alignment — a significant public investment that has made Somerset's coastal access among the best on the north-west coast.

For those considering building, Somerset offers a practical and appealing combination: coastal proximity, established community infrastructure, Bass Highway access, and the resources of both Burnie and Wynyard within 15 minutes. The median age of 48 reflects the growing appeal to those seeking a quieter coastal pace without sacrificing services. It is, in every practical sense, a north-west coast lifestyle with a city on each side.

Davies has been building across the north-west coast since 2009. Somerset is approximately one hour from our Sheffield base via the Bass Highway — well within our core service area. We know the Waratah-Wynyard planning team, the local trades, and what quality coastal construction requires in this specific environment.

Last updated: June 2026

Barn House Penguin — Davies Design & Construction project on Tasmania's north-west coast

The Lifestyle

Why People Choose Somerset

Somerset Surf Break and Beach

The Somerset surf break is well known to north-west Tasmania's wave-riding community, and the Somerset Surf Life Saving Club is one of the coast's active community institutions. The beach is family-friendly year-round — wide sand, accessible foreshore, and Bass Strait views that are both practical and spectacular on a clear north-west Tasmania day.

13.2 km Coastal Pathway

Completed in October 2024, the dedicated asphalt coastal pathway runs along the former railway alignment through Somerset, connecting to the broader north-west coast recreational network. It's one of the most significant pieces of public infrastructure added to any NW coastal community in recent years — and it starts at the Somerset foreshore.

Between Wynyard and Burnie

Somerset is positioned between two service centres — Wynyard to the west and Burnie to the east, each 10 to 15 minutes away. Burnie provides a regional hospital, TAFE, supermarkets, and the airport. Wynyard offers a medical centre, schools, and Table Cape. Somerset draws on both without belonging to either.

Coastal Passive Solar Potential

North-facing coastal blocks in Somerset have genuine passive solar potential. A well-designed home here — highly insulated, airtight, and oriented to capture winter sun while managing summer shading — can be a comfortable and energy-efficient year-round residence. This is where our approach to high-performance construction makes a real difference.

An Established Coastal Community

With 4,067 residents (ABS 2021) and owner-occupancy at approximately 70%, Somerset has the established character of a genuine community. Active sporting clubs, a working foreshore, and a mix of long-term residents and newer arrivals give the place social depth that smaller coastal settlements often lack.

Cam River Reserve

The Cam River Reserve runs along Somerset's eastern edge, offering fishing, kayaking, picnicking, and passive recreation directly from the community. Waratah-Wynyard Council has a 23-action master plan guiding the Reserve's development — adding nature conservation, safe pedestrian access, and recreational improvements to this significant waterway corridor.

Building Here

What to Know About Building in Somerset

Coastal Erosion Hazard and Coastal Inundation Hazard overlays under the State Planning Provisions apply to foreshore-adjacent properties. These specify minimum setbacks from the high water mark, minimum finished floor levels, and may require a Coastal Hazard Assessment as part of a development application. Check which overlays apply to any specific allotment via PlanBuild Tasmania's enquiry service before purchasing any foreshore-adjacent lot.
Standard residential properties set back from the foreshore are typically subject to the residential zone requirements in the Local Provisions Schedule. The planning pathway here is relatively straightforward — but site-specific conditions including slope, vegetation, access, and any mapped overlays can still trigger additional requirements. Always verify the overlays on a specific allotment before committing.
Most suburban properties in Somerset are connected to reticulated sewerage and town water — unlike more remote coastal communities where onsite wastewater systems add $15,000–$30,000 to the project cost. Confirm the infrastructure status for any specific lot with Waratah-Wynyard Council before purchase.
Coastal construction specification matters more than buyers often expect. Wind-rated window and door systems, marine-grade hardware, corrosion-resistant fixings, and UV-stable claddings are standard requirements for any well-built coastal home in this environment. This adds to the build cost upfront but pays for itself in longevity and reduced maintenance over the building's life.
The Bass Highway corridor through this area has seen significant infrastructure investment: a $50 million realignment project (3.6 km section) has improved safety and travel times, and the Cam River Bridge replacement is currently underway. These upgrades improve connectivity for Somerset residents and the logistics of construction delivery to the area.
Davies has been building in the Waratah-Wynyard area since 2009. Somerset is approximately one hour from our Sheffield base. We know what quality coastal construction requires in this specific environment — the planning, the specification, and the local conditions that make the difference between a home that performs and one that compromises.

A well-positioned coastal block in Somerset — on the right street, oriented correctly, and built to a proper standard — is a genuine long-term asset. The combination of coastal lifestyle, community infrastructure, and city access on both sides makes this one of the more practical coastal locations in north-west Tasmania.

Our Work Nearby

Davies Projects in the Region

Our portfolio spans the north-west coast of Tasmania — coastal homes, rural builds, and custom projects designed for the local climate and landscape.

Barn House Penguin →Hawley Green →Wildlings Nest →Cloudscape →Geminus One →

Common Questions

Somerset Building FAQ

What is Somerset like to live in?+

Somerset is a coastal community of approximately 4,067 residents (ABS 2021) on Tasmania's north-west coast, at the mouth of the Cam River where it meets Bass Strait. The Cam River estuary forms the natural boundary between Somerset and Burnie to the east; Wynyard is approximately 15 kilometres to the west. The community has a genuine coastal character built around the surf beach, the Cam River Reserve, and sporting facilities including the Somerset Surf Life Saving Club. The population skews older — median age 48 — reflecting the growing appeal of a quieter coastal lifestyle with Burnie's hospital and services just 10 minutes away. Somerset is approximately one hour from our Sheffield base via the Bass Highway.

How much does it cost to build in Somerset?+

Custom homes in Somerset typically range from $3,500–$5,500/m² depending on design complexity, materials, and specification level. Coastal sites near the foreshore may require additional engineering — coastal construction detailing, corrosion-resistant hardware, and wind-rated window systems — which adds to the base cost. Most suburban properties in Somerset have access to reticulated sewerage and town water, which removes the onsite wastewater costs common to more remote coastal communities. Our feasibility process provides a rough cost estimate within a couple of days of your first enquiry, so you have a realistic figure before committing to any land purchase.

What are the planning requirements for building in Somerset?+

Somerset falls under Waratah-Wynyard Council, which administers the Tasmanian Planning Scheme — Waratah-Wynyard Local Provisions Schedule (commenced 19 April 2023). Applications for building permits are lodged with and assessed by Waratah-Wynyard Council. For foreshore-adjacent properties, Coastal Erosion Hazard and Coastal Inundation Hazard overlays under the State Planning Provisions apply — these specify minimum setbacks from the high water mark, minimum finished floor levels, and may require a Coastal Hazard Assessment as part of the development application. Standard residential properties set back from the foreshore are typically subject to straightforward residential zone requirements. Check the specific overlays for any allotment via PlanBuild Tasmania's enquiry service before committing to a purchase.

Does Davies Construction build in Somerset?+

Yes. Somerset is approximately one hour from our Sheffield base via the Bass Highway — well within our core north-west coast service area. We've been building across the Waratah-Wynyard municipal area since 2009, and we understand the planning requirements, the coastal environment, and what quality construction looks like in this part of the world. If you're considering land in Somerset, we'd welcome a conversation about your site, feasibility, and what a well-designed coastal home can achieve here.

Build on the North-West Coast

A coastal community with surf, river, and two cities within 15 minutes. If you're looking at land in Somerset, let's talk about what quality coastal construction can achieve on your site.