Welcome to Mareeba
Your complete guide to relocating to Mareeba Shire. Everything you need to know to settle into your new home on the Atherton Tablelands.
Welcome to your new home!
We're excited to have you join our community
Mareeba Shire offers an exceptional lifestyle combining affordable living, stunning natural beauty, strong agriculture and tourism sectors, and a welcoming community. Whether you're moving for work, retirement, or a tree change, this guide will help you settle in smoothly.
New Resident Checklist
Complete these essential tasks to get settled in Mareeba Shire.
Housing & Utilities
Set up electricity account
Ergon Energy: 13 57 66 or ergon.com.au
Connect to town water & sewerage (if applicable)
Mareeba Shire Council: 1300 308 461 – water available in Mareeba, Kuranda, Dimbulah, Chillagoe, and some rural areas. See Water Services page
Arrange waste & recycling collection
Weekly kerbside collection in towns. Purchase bins from Council or request service setup: 1300 308 461
Set up internet & phone
NBN available in most urban areas. Check nbnco.com.au for availability. Rural areas may require satellite internet (Sky Muster).
Update home/contents insurance
Ensure adequate cover for cyclone, flood, and bushfire risks common in FNQ. Check flood zones for your property.
Pets & Animals
Register your dogs & cats
All dogs and cats must be registered with Council. Lifetime registration available. Discounts for desexed/microchipped pets. Fine up to $266 for unregistered pets. Register online or call 1300 308 461
Find a local vet
Mareeba Veterinary Surgery: (07) 4092 2977, 60 Walsh Street
Atherton Veterinary Hospital: (07) 4091 3455, 38km from Mareeba
Vehicle & Transport
Transfer vehicle registration to Queensland
If moving from interstate, you must transfer rego within 14 days. Nearest Department of Transport & Main Roads office: Cairns (64km) – book online at qld.gov.au/transport
Transfer driver licence to Queensland
Interstate residents: transfer within 14 days of arriving in QLD. Book appointment at TMR Cairns or Atherton.
Update vehicle insurance & roadside assist
RACQ popular in QLD: 13 11 11. Ensure coverage includes remote/rural areas if you travel to Chillagoe or outback.
Healthcare
Register with a local GP
Mareeba Family Medical Centre: (07) 4092 3888, 151 Walsh Street
Mareeba Medical Centre: (07) 4092 2299, 13-15 Walsh Street
Bulk-billing available for concession card holders at most practices.Locate nearest hospital
Mareeba Hospital: 2 Lloyd Street, Mareeba – 24/7 emergency department, (07) 4048 2222
Major trauma cases may be airlifted to Cairns Hospital (64km).Find pharmacy, dentist, allied health services
Multiple pharmacies on Walsh Street. Dental clinics available. Physio, chiro, podiatry, psychology services in town centre.
Government & Admin
Update your address with ATO, Centrelink, Medicare
Update via myGov: my.gov.au. Ensure tax file, Centrelink, Medicare, and electoral roll records are current.
Register to vote (or update address)
Enrol or update at aec.gov.au. Mareeba is in the federal electorate of Kennedy and state electorate of Cook.
Get a library card
Mareeba Library, 65 Rankin Street (inside Council building). Free membership, books, WiFi, computers, events. 1300 308 461
Schools & Childcare
Enrol children in school
Mareeba State High School: (07) 4092 5333 (Yr 7-12)
Mareeba State School: (07) 4092 5111 (Prep-Yr 6)
St Stephen's Catholic School: (07) 4092 1547 (Prep-Yr 12)
See our Schools page for full list.Find childcare/kindy
Multiple childcare centres in Mareeba. Waitlists common – enrol early. Check mychild.gov.au for approved centres and vacancies.
Cost of Living Comparison
Mareeba offers significantly more affordable living than Cairns and Brisbane, while still providing excellent amenities, services, and lifestyle opportunities.
Housing Costs
vs $500-$650/week in Cairns
Living Expenses
Groceries slightly higher than metro areas but offset by lower housing and transport costs.
Overall Cost of Living
Mareeba's cost of living is approximately 25-30% lower than Cairns and 35-40% lower than Brisbane, primarily due to affordable housing.
With savings on rent/mortgage, many families find they can enjoy a higher quality of life, larger properties, and more disposable income in Mareeba compared to larger cities.
Suburbs & Areas Guide
Mareeba Town
The main urban centre (pop ~11,000). Most housing is established 3-4 bedroom homes on 600-1,000m² blocks. Mix of older Queenslander-style and modern brick/concrete construction.
Best for:
- Families wanting walk-to-school lifestyle
- Access to all services & amenities
- Close to hospital, shops, library
- Active community groups & sports
Property prices:
- Houses: $320k-$500k
- Units/townhouses: $180k-$280k (limited stock)
- Rental: $330-$480/week
Rural Residential (Mareeba surrounds)
Properties on 1-10 hectare blocks within 10-20 minutes of town. Perfect for hobby farms, lifestyle blocks, horse properties. Some areas have town water, most rely on tanks and/or bores.
Best for:
- Families wanting space & privacy
- Horse owners, hobby farmers
- Home-based business operators
- Tree change seekers
Property prices:
- 1-5ha blocks: $400k-$650k
- 5-10ha blocks: $500k-$800k
- Varies greatly by improvements & water access
Kuranda
Rainforest village 25km east of Mareeba (30 min drive down Kuranda Range). Bohemian artistic community, famous markets, tourist attractions. Cooler climate, higher rainfall. Close to Cairns (30 min).
Best for:
- Artists, creatives, tourism operators
- Rainforest lifestyle seekers
- Commuters to Cairns (easier than Mareeba)
- Retirees wanting village atmosphere
Property prices:
- Houses: $400k-$750k
- Rainforest acreage: $500k-$1M+
- Limited rentals, higher demand
Dimbulah
Small rural town (pop ~1,000) 40km west of Mareeba. Centre of mango and tropical fruit industry. Very affordable housing, tight-knit community, slower pace. 35-40 min drive to Mareeba services.
Best for:
- Agricultural workers (mangoes, vegetables)
- Retirees on tight budgets
- Remote workers wanting quiet lifestyle
- Extreme affordability seekers
Property prices:
- Houses: $180k-$320k
- Rental: $200-$320/week (limited stock)
- Farmland nearby relatively affordable
Chillagoe & Outback
Remote outback town (pop ~300) 140km west of Mareeba. Mining history, spectacular caves, tourism growing. Very isolated, limited services, extreme affordability. Not for everyone!
Best for:
- Mining workers, tourism operators
- Extreme tree changers/off-grid seekers
- Retirees seeking solitude
- Those with self-sufficient skills
Considerations:
- No supermarket (small general store only)
- Limited medical (fly-in doctor service)
- 2+ hour drive to Mareeba for major shopping
- Houses often under $150k
Employment & Economy
Mareeba's economy is driven by agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, retail, and government services. Unemployment is typically below the Queensland average, with seasonal demand peaks in harvest periods.
Major Employment Sectors
- Agriculture: Farm work, packing sheds, horticulture (avocados, mangoes, coffee)
- Healthcare: Hospital, medical centres, aged care
- Education: Schools, TAFE, childcare
- Retail & Hospitality: Shops, cafes, accommodation
- Government: Council, QLD Gov services
- Tourism: Attractions, tours, accommodation
Job Search Resources
Average Wages
- Farm workers: $25-$32/hr (seasonal)
- Retail/hospitality: $23-$30/hr
- Trades: $35-$55/hr
- Healthcare (RN): $35-$45/hr
- Teachers: $75k-$110k/yr
- Professionals: Varies widely
Seasonal Work Opportunities
Mareeba Shire has year-round harvest work, with peak demand November-April (mango season). Backpackers and working holiday visa holders fill many positions, but locals always have priority.
Most farms require own transport. Some offer on-farm accommodation. Pay can be hourly or piece-rate depending on crop and task. Excellent opportunity for extra income or while looking for permanent work.
Community & Social Groups
Mareeba has an active, welcoming community with dozens of clubs, groups, and organizations. Great way to meet people and get involved in local life.
Sports & Recreation
- •Mareeba Rugby League: Junior & senior teams, strong club culture
- •Mareeba Touch Football: Social & competitive, all ages
- •Mareeba Bowls Club: Lawn bowls, social events, bistro
- •Mareeba Golf Club: 18-hole course, comp days, social golf
- •Mareeba Swimming Pool: 50m outdoor pool, swim club, lessons
- •BMX Track: Popular with kids, regular race events
- •Mareeba Pony Club: For horse-riding kids & families
Community Groups
- •Mareeba Rotary Club: Community service, fundraising, networking
- •Mareeba Lions Club: Community projects, BBQs, support services
- •Mareeba RSL: Veterans support, community events, bistro
- •Mareeba Country Women's Association (CWA): Social, fundraising, craft
- •Mareeba Probus Club: For retirees, social activities & outings
- •Mareeba Art Society: Exhibitions, workshops, community art projects
- •Mareeba Community Centre: Programs, activities, youth services
Tip: Search "Mareeba [your interest]" on Facebook to find local groups. Most sporting clubs and community organizations have Facebook pages with contact info, meeting times, and event details.
Essential Contacts
Emergency
- Emergency (Police/Fire/Ambulance): 000
- SES (Flood/Storm): 132 500
- Mareeba Hospital: (07) 4048 2222
Council & Services
- Mareeba Shire Council: 1300 308 461
- Ergon Energy (power): 13 57 66
- QLD Traffic (roads): 13 19 40
Healthcare
- Mareeba Family Medical: (07) 4092 3888
- Mareeba Pharmacy: (07) 4092 2448
- Mareeba Vet Surgery: (07) 4092 2977