Living in a house in Cassowary costs about $15,970 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Cassowary sits 57.8 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,130, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,600 body corporate levy. At 57.8km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $5,413 more per year than public transport users.
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.4/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 24% of Douglas Shire 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 Cassowary'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 Cassowary
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.
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Cassowary to Cairns CBD?
Public transport saves Cassowary residents $5,413 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $5,605 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Cassowary?
Cassowary falls under Douglas Shire Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,400 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,400 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Cassowary?
Running a unit in Cassowary costs approximately $11,130 per year by car or $5,717 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,400, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,600, and contents insurance of $760. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Cassowary close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Cassowary. 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 Cassowary?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Cassowary 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.
Your report is opening in a new tab. Check your inbox if it doesn't appear within a minute.
Data sources: Council rates: Douglas Shire 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.