Bonnie Doon vs Mossman Gorge, 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 Mossman Gorge are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 65.2 km and 67.1 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $234 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 $2,700, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Mossman Gorge
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnie Doon | Mossman Gorge | 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 | $3,781 | +$434 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,215 | $3,781 | +$434 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,300 | $3,500 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,700 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $10,680 | $10,446 | +$234 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,680 | $10,446 | +$234 |
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 | Mossman Gorge | 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 Mossman Gorge (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnie Doon and Mossman Gorge differ by $234 a year by car, but $200 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 $434, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $434 per year. Mossman Gorge is 67.1 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $234 per year, $10,680 from Bonnie Doon versus $10,446 from Mossman Gorge.
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 Mossman Gorge by $434 a year, $3,781 against $4,215.
- Building insurance favours Bonnie Doon by $200 a year, $3,300 against $3,500.
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 | Mossman Gorge cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,680 | $10,446 | $234 |
| Year 3 | $33,011 | $32,288 | $723 |
| Year 5 | $56,702 | $55,459 | $1,243 |
| Year 10 | $122,434 | $119,752 | $2,682 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnie Doon or Mossman Gorge cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Bonnie Doon runs $10,680 a year by car and Mossman Gorge $10,446, but most of the $234 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $434. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnie Doon and Mossman Gorge?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Bonnie Doon (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Mossman Gorge (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bonnie Doon and $1,765 in Mossman Gorge. 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 Mossman Gorge?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,215 from Bonnie Doon and $3,781 from Mossman Gorge 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 Mossman Gorge?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnie Doon costs a cumulative $122,434 and Mossman Gorge costs $119,752 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,682 in favour of Mossman Gorge. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnie Doon and Mossman Gorge suits you better?
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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.