Living in a house in Daintree costs about $14,491 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Daintree sits 87.6 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $9,351, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,600 body corporate levy. At 87.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $3,634 more per year than public transport users.
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.9/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 38% 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 Daintree'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 Daintree
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
4
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 Daintree to Cairns CBD?
Public transport saves Daintree residents $3,634 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,826 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Daintree?
Daintree 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 Daintree?
Running a unit in Daintree costs approximately $9,351 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 Daintree close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Daintree. 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 Daintree?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Daintree there are 0 supermarkets, 4 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: 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.