Albany Island


Albany Island is near the tip of Cape York.

It's close to its first settlement - Somerset, separated from the mainland only by the narrow Albany Passage.


It is a beautiful island, surrounded by bright blue waters and white sand beaches.


albany island

But at the moment (2014) there is no working pearl farm even though that may well change in the near future.

albany island australia

Albany Island Walk

There is a nice and well marked walking track which takes you to the other side of the island and back.

albany island walk

The most famous thing along the track is the Kennedy expedition graves, and they are not far from the beginning of the walk.

albany island graves

In May 1849, the only two bodies that did not go missing after the disastrous Kennedy expedition, were buried here - they were the remains of Thomas Wall and Charles Niblett.

albany island kennedy expedition graves

The funeral service was read by the Somerset Police Magistrate at the time, Christopher Hay D'Oyley Aplin, who himself was buried here 26 years later, after he died at Somerset from an epidemic disease. His grave is the one with the cross, right next to Wall and Niblett.

albany island grave christopher hay doyley aplin

After the graves the walking track continues across the highest rise on the southern Albany Island.

albany island walking track

The vegetation is dry and gets more open as you come out on the other side.

albany island walking track

The views over the blue waters and surrounding islands are beautiful.

albany island views

After a while on the top of the island, the track descends

albany island track marker

... until you come to the first beach.

albany island beach

The Albany Island walk goes along the beach,

albany island beach walk

... until a red marker where it turns in again.

albany island beach marker

Then it continues in the bush for a while,

albany island walking track marker

... until it descends to the second beach -

albany island view

... which is longer and even more beautiful than the first.

albany island beach

The walk again goes along the beach,

albany island beach walk

... past a beach hut,

albany island beach hut

... on the beautiful white sand,

albany island walk beach

... until a blue marker where it turns in again,

albany island walk beach marker

... and crosses the island, taking you back to the southern side.

albany island walk marker

There is a lookout point where you see all the way to Somerset Beach (not quite this close - photo taken with a zoom-in lens).

albany island lookout

Albany Island Stay

Back on the southern side of the island there are hammocks to relax,

albany island queensland

.. or enjoy the campfire if you stay over night (along with drinks on the beach and a three course dinner plus breakfast included),

albany island cape york

... or a lunch with views (included in your day tour),

albany island lunch

The fish and chips with salad was very nice, a good restaurant standard, almost unexpected in remoteness and definitely a great change from camping food :-)

fish and chips

Hamish is a nice guy who runs all the different tours including fishing,

albany island hamish

... and all prices, contact and all other details are in the Destination Guide.





cape york travel

Plan Your Trip... the FREE Cape York Travel Pocket Guide

Get this 50 pages guide totally for FREE. It contains information that helps you getting started with planning of your trip. You get to make early-stages desicions such as when to go, how long time you should take, how to get there and get around, where to stay (general info), what will it cost.. and a short insight to what is there to see and do in Cape York.

Plan and Bring to the Trip... the full Destination Cape York Travel Guide

visit cape york

This complete 300 pages travel guide is all you need before and during your trip. Besides the background chapters on the peninsula's history and wildlife; and the comprehensive detail about all the places (down to prices, opening hours and full contact detail), it has invaluable information on at least 10 four wheel drive tracks, at least 30 guaranteed FREE camping spots on the Cape (and at least 150 on your way to the Cape), at least 40 best swimming holes, all mapped; as well as practical things - from fuel, roads, wireless internet and mobile phone reception, how to deal with the national parks booking rules; and Aboriginal land entrance and camping permits and alcohol restrictions - to vehicle preparation and accessories and necessary recovery gear by my vehicle-recovery-guy partner). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)



If you liked the books or this website, let others know about it! 

Link to it from your website, your blog, your forum post... Share it on Facebook, Tweet about it...



Every link helps other travellers!

Thank you for doing the right thing and letting others know :-)






destination cape york

Latest Pages

Notice Board

Ask a Question

YOUR Adventure

YOUR Cape Memories


Keep yourself updated
on the latest -
weather, roads,
free travel tips,
and get the
FREE Cape York
Pocket Guide!


Email

Name

Then


Don't worry - your email address is totally secure.
I use it only to send you the Cape York News.

Get the FREE Pocket Guide:
cape york travel free pocket guide

Get the Big Destination Guide
destination cape york book


Available with the Big Destination Guide:
cape york dog caravan trailer
 
FEEDBACK Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
 
cape york businesses

loyalty beach