True annual cost of living in Dolphin Heads, QLD 4740
Living in a house in Dolphin Heads costs about $11,854 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Dolphin Heads sits 11.9 kilometres from Mackay CBD. Unit costs come in at $10,016, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,200 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,348 per year at this distance.
Cheaper to run than 57% of Mackay Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost
typical 2-person household
House
$2,140/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,770/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Dolphin Heads'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 Dolphin Heads
within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
No scheduled service within a 2 km walk of the suburb centre.
Nearest hospital
GP Super Clinic, 3,489 m away, about a 44 minute walk.
Supermarkets
0
Cafes
0
Parks
22
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 Dolphin Heads to Mackay CBD?
Public transport saves Dolphin Heads residents $3,348 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,540 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Dolphin Heads?
Dolphin Heads falls under Mackay Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,466 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,528 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Dolphin Heads?
Running a unit in Dolphin Heads costs approximately $10,016 per year by car or $6,668 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,528, water and sewerage $2,048, estimated body corporate levy of $2,200, and contents insurance of $700. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
Is Dolphin Heads close to public transport?
No scheduled public transport stop was found within a 2 km walk of the centre of Dolphin Heads. 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 is the closest hospital to Dolphin Heads?
The closest hospital to the centre of Dolphin Heads is GP Super Clinic, about 3,489 m away, about a 44 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.
What shops and parks are in Dolphin Heads?
Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Dolphin Heads there are 0 supermarkets, 0 cafes and 22 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: Mackay Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Mackay 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.