Cost of Living in Cape Tribulation - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,058 (excluding rent), and $2,233 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,780 (excluding rent), and $4,318 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.82 A$18.06

$5.25 A$8.02

$39.38 A$60.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$82.2 A$126

$49.33 A$75.4

$132 A$201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.61 A$16.21

$8.35 A$12.77

$11.58 A$17.69

Cappuccino

$3.78 A$5.78

$3.19 A$4.88

$4.47 A$6.83

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 A$4.19

$2.23 A$3.41

$3.82 A$5.83

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 A$3.46

$1.94 A$2.96

$3.23 A$4.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.67 A$10.19

$4 A$6.11

$8.67 A$13.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.3 A$11.16

$5.97 A$9.13

$9.3 A$14.22

Milk (1 liter)

$1.74 A$2.65

$0.83 A$1.27

$2.67 A$4.08

White Bread (500g)

$2.45 A$3.74

$1 A$1.54

$3.88 A$5.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.8 A$4.28

$0.93 A$1.42

$3.98 A$6.09

Eggs

$4.04 A$6.17

$2.77 A$4.23

$5.54 A$8.47

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.85 A$12

$6.36 A$9.72

$9.55 A$14.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.54 A$14.57

$6.67 A$10.19

$13.34 A$20.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.65 A$19.33

$12.33 A$18.84

$12.98 A$19.83

Apples (1kg)

$2.95 A$4.51

$2.55 A$3.9

$3.82 A$5.84

Banana (1kg)

$2.21 A$3.38

$1.27 A$1.94

$3.18 A$4.86

Oranges (1kg)

$2.76 A$4.22

$1.3 A$1.99

$2.99 A$4.56

Tomato (1kg)

$7.02 A$10.73

$3.8 A$5.81

$9.9 A$15.13

Potato (1kg)

$2.33 A$3.56

$1.67 A$2.56

$2.67 A$4.08

Onion (1kg)

$2.24 A$3.43

$1.86 A$2.84

$2.56 A$3.91

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 A$3.43

$1.71 A$2.61

$2.85 A$4.35

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3 A$4.59

$0.67 A$1.02

$4.66 A$7.12

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$28.73 A$43.9

Wine (Bottle)

$10.97 A$16.77

$9.68 A$14.79

$18.71 A$28.6

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.43 A$5.24

$1.68 A$2.57

$4.36 A$6.66

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 A$5.54

$1.98 A$3.02

$4.61 A$7.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.64 A$4.03

$1.92 A$2.93

$3.3 A$5.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.4 A$98.4

$22.54 A$34.44

$64.4 A$98.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.56 A$10.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.6 A$2.45

$1.44 A$2.2

$1.89 A$2.88

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$33.68 A$51.5

$32.64 A$49.88

$40.8 A$62.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 A$1.74

$1.07 A$1.63

$1.18 A$1.8

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.4K A$34.2K

$28.4K A$43.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$19.7K A$30K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$152 A$233

$65.2 A$99.7

$248 A$379

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$36.92 A$56.4

$22.8 A$34.85

$52.1 A$79.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.4 A$90.7

$48.79 A$74.6

$84.6 A$129

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.4 A$74

$19.37 A$29.6

$58.1 A$88.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.48 A$23.65

$7.7 A$11.76

$15.48 A$23.65

Cinema Ticket

$12.91 A$19.73

$14.2 A$21.7

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,600 A$2,444

$876 A$1,338

$2,175 A$3,324

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.1K A$18.5K

$6,532 A$9,982

$17.6K A$27K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$85.9 A$131

$19.87 A$30.36

$99.4 A$152

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.4 A$105

$59.6 A$91.1

$79.5 A$121

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.7 A$151

$32.27 A$49.31

$116 A$178

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$134 A$205

$63.9 A$97.6

$160 A$244

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,253 A$1,914

$1,032 A$1,577

$1,322 A$2,020

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,067 A$1,631

$664 A$1,015

$1,188 A$1,816

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,056 A$3,142

$1,658 A$2,534

$2,521 A$3,852

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,660 A$2,536

$1,286 A$1,965

$1,929 A$2,947

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,113 A$7,813

$3,246 A$4,959

$5,511 A$8,422

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,905 A$5,967

$2,244 A$3,430

$3,928 A$6,002

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.96

7.9

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 29, 2025

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Cost of Living in Cape Tribulation - Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Tribulation offers a unique balance – nature and remoteness create value for those who value scenery and slower rhythms. Cost of Living in Cape Tribulation is shaped by limited services, seasonal demand, and proximity to regional hubs. You will find that housing options range from simple cabins to shared houses, with rents often more approachable than big urban centers, though availability can be tight. Daily costs hinge on transport and groceries, since many goods travel from farther towns. Reliable internet and occasional co-working options empower remote work, while day trips to the rainforest add extra planning. Tip: map out a weekly routine to minimize backtracking and save on transit.

Daily life in Cape Tribulation centers on nature, a small-service footprint, and smart planning. Knowing the Cape Tribulation living cost helps you plan grocery hauls, rent cycles, and transport options. Start your housing search through local listings and trusted agents, but expect competition for longer stays and flexible leases. Food options include farm markets, seafood from nearby co-ops, and a few cafes; many travelers cook at home, which helps with budget. Transportation tends to hinge on a car or organized shuttles, as public options are limited; if you work remotely, check internet reliability at your accommodation and nearby lodges. Errands may require trips to Port Douglas or Mossman for larger shops. Tip: build a simple weekly route that minimizes backtracking to save time and fuel.

Quality of life in Cape Tribulation is defined by outdoor access, community feel, and a relaxed pace. A practical budgeting framework centers on essentials, a flexible cushion for seasonal shifts, and built-in savings for activities or travel to nearby towns. To pick a neighborhood, consider how close you want to beach access, rainforest trails, and grocery runs, then test in different stays to feel commute times and internet reliability. Seasonality shapes service hours, crowd levels, and transport options, so plan a few weeks across a couple of seasons to gauge rhythm. Tip: establish a simple rule to review expenses weekly and adjust as your plans change.