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Map of Bellenden Ker
42.9 km from Cairns CBD
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True annual cost of living in Bellenden Ker, QLD 4871

Living in a house in Bellenden Ker costs about $17,383 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Bellenden Ker sits 42.9 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $12,233, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,600 body corporate levy. At 42.9km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $6,760 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Cairns Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Running costs sit near the Cairns Regional Council average, cheaper than 33% of suburbs in the region.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $7,500, roughly 43% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $6,760 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$17,383
Driving · per year
$1,449/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$12,233
Incl. body corporate
$1,019/month
House vs unit difference
−$5,150
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Cairns Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,166
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$1,765
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 42.9km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$6,952
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$7,500
Total annual running cost
$17,383
($1,449/month)
Near Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 5.4/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 33% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,373/yr
5,933 kWh
Unit
$1,945/yr
4,450 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Bellenden Ker's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Bellenden Ker

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
0
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

Compare Bellenden Ker with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Bellenden Ker

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Bellenden Ker to Cairns CBD?

Public transport saves Bellenden Ker residents $6,760 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,952 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Bellenden Ker?

Bellenden Ker falls under Cairns Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,166 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,166 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Bellenden Ker?

Running a unit in Bellenden Ker costs approximately $12,233 per year by car or $5,473 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,166, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,600, and contents insurance of $750. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Bellenden Ker close to public transport?

No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Bellenden Ker. The running cost on this page assumes driving, which is why the commute component is the largest line for most suburbs in this position.

What shops and parks are in Bellenden Ker?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Bellenden Ker there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 0 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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Data sources: Council rates: Cairns Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.