Bonnie Doon vs Cooya Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 65.2 km and 66 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $221 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $2,500, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Cooya Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnie Doon | Cooya Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,215 | $4,036 | +$179 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,215 | $4,036 | +$179 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,300 | $3,700 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,680 | $10,901 | -$221 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,680 | $10,901 | -$221 |
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 | Bonnie Doon | Cooya Beach | 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, Bonnie Doon vs Cooya Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach differ by $221 a year by car, but $400 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 $179, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $221 per year, $10,680 from Bonnie Doon versus $10,901 from Cooya Beach.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,400 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Cooya Beach by $179 a year, $4,036 against $4,215.
- Building insurance favours Bonnie Doon by $400 a year, $3,300 against $3,700.
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 | Bonnie Doon cumulative | Cooya Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,680 | $10,901 | $221 |
| Year 3 | $33,011 | $33,694 | $683 |
| Year 5 | $56,702 | $57,875 | $1,173 |
| Year 10 | $122,434 | $124,968 | $2,534 |
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?
Neither is named cheaper. Bonnie Doon runs $10,680 a year by car and Cooya Beach $10,901, but most of the $221 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $179. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Bonnie Doon (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Cooya Beach (Douglas Shire 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 $4,215 from Bonnie Doon and $4,036 from Cooya Beach to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnie Doon costs a cumulative $122,434 and Cooya Beach costs $124,968 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,534 in favour of Bonnie Doon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnie Doon and Cooya Beach suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Douglas Shire Council and Douglas Shire 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.