Bonnells Bay vs Windermere Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonnells Bay and Windermere Park are both Lake Macquarie rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 89.8 km and 88.8 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Windermere Park runs $342 a year cheaper than Bonnells Bay, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,921.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Bonnells Bay
Windermere Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnells Bay | Windermere Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,763 | $1,763 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,793 | $3,751 | +$42 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,100 | $2,800 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,033 | $9,691 | +$342 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,640 | $8,340 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Bonnells Bay | Windermere Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,148 | $2,148 | - |
| Unit | $1,716 | $1,716 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Bonnells Bay vs Windermere Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Windermere Park costs $342 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,921 in favour of Windermere Park.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year. Bonnells Bay carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $8,640 from Bonnells Bay versus $8,340 from Windermere Park.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnells Bay cumulative | Windermere Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,033 | $9,691 | $342 |
| Year 3 | $31,011 | $29,954 | $1,057 |
| Year 5 | $53,267 | $51,451 | $1,816 |
| Year 10 | $115,017 | $111,096 | $3,921 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnells Bay or Windermere Park cheaper to live in?
Windermere Park is cheaper to run by car at $9,691 per year versus $10,033 for Bonnells Bay, a difference of $342 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnells Bay and Windermere Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,763 in Bonnells Bay (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG) and $1,763 in Windermere Park (Lake Macquarie rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in Bonnells Bay and $1,377 in Windermere Park. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Bonnells Bay and Windermere Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,793 from Bonnells Bay and $3,751 from Windermere Park to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Bonnells Bay and $2,400 from Windermere Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnells Bay and Windermere Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnells Bay costs a cumulative $115,017 and Windermere Park costs $111,096 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,921 in favour of Windermere Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnells Bay and Windermere Park is best to actually live in?
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: Lake Macquarie rates (OLG and Lake Macquarie rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.