Bonnie Doon vs Cooya Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 65.2 km and 66 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bonnie Doon runs $527 a year cheaper than Cooya Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,042.
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 →Bonnie Doon
Cooya Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnie Doon | Cooya Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,076 | $3,903 | +$173 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $7,200 | -$700 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,506 | $14,033 | -$527 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,622 | $10,322 | -$700 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bonnie Doon | Cooya Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
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 — Bonnie Doon vs Cooya Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnie Doon costs $527 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,042 in favour of Bonnie Doon.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $700 per year.
On public transport the gap is $700 per year, $9,622 from Bonnie Doon versus $10,322 from Cooya Beach.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnie Doon cumulative | Cooya Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,506 | $14,033 | $527 |
| Year 3 | $41,746 | $43,375 | $1,629 |
| Year 5 | $71,705 | $74,503 | $2,798 |
| Year 10 | $154,831 | $160,873 | $6,042 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnie Doon or Cooya Beach cheaper to live in?
Bonnie Doon is cheaper to run by car at $13,506 per year versus $14,033 for Cooya Beach, a difference of $527 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Bonnie Doon (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Cooya Beach (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bonnie Doon and $1,765 in Cooya Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,076 from Bonnie Doon and $3,903 from Cooya Beach to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bonnie Doon and $192 from Cooya Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnie Doon costs a cumulative $154,831 and Cooya Beach costs $160,873 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,042 in favour of Bonnie Doon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach 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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council 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.