Barron Gorge vs Caravonica, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barron Gorge and Caravonica are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 12.3 km and 12 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Caravonica runs $322 a year cheaper than Barron Gorge, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,692.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,700, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Barron Gorge
Caravonica
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barron Gorge | Caravonica | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,637 | $3,565 | +$72 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,550 | $3,300 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,118 | $9,796 | +$322 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,673 | $6,423 | +$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Barron Gorge | Caravonica | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Barron Gorge vs Caravonica (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barron Gorge and Caravonica differ by $322 a year by car, but $250 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $72, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $6,673 from Barron Gorge versus $6,423 from Caravonica.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Caravonica by $72 a year, $3,565 against $3,637.
- Building insurance favours Caravonica by $250 a year, $3,300 against $3,550.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barron Gorge cumulative | Caravonica cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,118 | $9,796 | $322 |
| Year 3 | $31,274 | $30,278 | $996 |
| Year 5 | $53,718 | $52,008 | $1,710 |
| Year 10 | $115,992 | $112,300 | $3,692 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barron Gorge or Caravonica cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Barron Gorge runs $10,118 a year by car and Caravonica $9,796, but most of the $322 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $72. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barron Gorge and Caravonica?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Barron Gorge (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Caravonica (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Barron Gorge and $1,765 in Caravonica. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Barron Gorge and Caravonica?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,637 from Barron Gorge and $3,565 from Caravonica to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Barron Gorge and $192 from Caravonica.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barron Gorge and Caravonica?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barron Gorge costs a cumulative $115,992 and Caravonica costs $112,300 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,692 in favour of Caravonica. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barron Gorge and Caravonica suits you better?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.