Currawong Beach vs Great Mackerel Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Currawong Beach and Great Mackerel Beach are both Northern Beaches rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 31.6 km and 32 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $28 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 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 →Currawong Beach
Great Mackerel Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Currawong Beach | Great Mackerel Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,766 | $1,766 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,460 | $6,488 | -$28 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,000 | $3,000 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,774 | $12,802 | -$28 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,714 | $8,714 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Currawong Beach | Great Mackerel Beach | 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 — Currawong Beach vs Great Mackerel Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Currawong Beach and Great Mackerel Beach cost within $28 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $321, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $28 per year. Great Mackerel Beach is 32 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,714 and $8,714 a year, so the $28 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Currawong Beach cumulative | Great Mackerel Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,774 | $12,802 | $28 |
| Year 3 | $39,483 | $39,570 | $87 |
| Year 5 | $67,819 | $67,968 | $149 |
| Year 10 | $146,440 | $146,761 | $321 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Currawong Beach or Great Mackerel Beach cheaper to live in?
Currawong Beach is cheaper to run by car at $12,774 per year versus $12,802 for Great Mackerel Beach, a difference of $28 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Currawong Beach and Great Mackerel Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,766 in Currawong Beach (Northern Beaches rates (OLG) and $1,766 in Great Mackerel Beach (Northern Beaches rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Currawong Beach and $1,548 in Great Mackerel Beach. 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 Currawong Beach and Great Mackerel Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,460 from Currawong Beach and $6,488 from Great Mackerel Beach to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Currawong Beach and $2,400 from Great Mackerel Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Currawong Beach and Great Mackerel Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Currawong Beach costs a cumulative $146,440 and Great Mackerel Beach costs $146,761 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $321 in favour of Currawong Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Currawong Beach and Great Mackerel 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: Northern Beaches rates (OLG and Northern Beaches 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.