Daintree vs Stewart Creek Valley: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Daintree and Stewart Creek Valley are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 87.6 km and 85.9 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Stewart Creek Valley runs $774 a year cheaper than Daintree, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,873.
Over 10 years, Stewart Creek Valley costs about $8,900 less to run than Daintree — the same as paying $8,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Daintree
Stewart Creek Valley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Daintree | Stewart Creek Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,826 | $3,752 | +$74 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $7,500 | $6,800 | +$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $14,491 | $13,717 | +$774 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,857 | $10,157 | +$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Daintree | Stewart Creek Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Daintree vs Stewart Creek Valley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Stewart Creek Valley costs $774 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,873 in favour of Stewart Creek Valley.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $10,857 from Daintree versus $10,157 from Stewart Creek Valley.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,400 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Stewart Creek Valley by $74 a year, $3,752 against $3,826.
- Building insurance favours Stewart Creek Valley by $700 a year, $6,800 against $7,500.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Daintree cumulative | Stewart Creek Valley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,491 | $13,717 | $774 |
| Year 3 | $44,790 | $42,398 | $2,392 |
| Year 5 | $76,935 | $72,825 | $4,110 |
| Year 10 | $166,123 | $157,250 | $8,873 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Daintree or Stewart Creek Valley cheaper to live in?
Stewart Creek Valley is cheaper to run by car at $13,717 per year versus $14,491 for Daintree, a difference of $774 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Daintree and Stewart Creek Valley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Daintree (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Stewart Creek Valley (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Daintree and $1,765 in Stewart Creek Valley. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Daintree and Stewart Creek Valley?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,826 from Daintree and $3,752 from Stewart Creek Valley to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Daintree and $192 from Stewart Creek Valley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Daintree and Stewart Creek Valley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Daintree costs a cumulative $166,123 and Stewart Creek Valley costs $157,250 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,873 in favour of Stewart Creek Valley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Daintree and Stewart Creek Valley is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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Sources: Douglas Shire Council and Douglas Shire Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.