Nelly Bay vs Picnic Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 11.7 km and 9.5 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Picnic Bay runs $565 a year cheaper than Nelly Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $6,477.
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 →Nelly Bay
Picnic Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Nelly Bay | Picnic Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,490 | $2,925 | +$565 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,600 | $2,200 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $11,732 | $11,167 | +$565 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $8,434 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Nelly Bay | Picnic Bay | 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 — Nelly Bay vs Picnic Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Picnic Bay costs $565 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $6,477 in favour of Picnic Bay.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $565 per year. Nelly Bay is 11.7 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,434 and $8,434 a year, so the $565 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Picnic Bay by $565 a year, $2,925 against $3,490.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,800 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Nelly Bay cumulative | Picnic Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,732 | $11,167 | $565 |
| Year 3 | $36,262 | $34,516 | $1,746 |
| Year 5 | $62,287 | $59,287 | $3,000 |
| Year 10 | $134,494 | $128,017 | $6,477 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nelly Bay or Picnic Bay cheaper to live in?
Picnic Bay is cheaper to run by car at $11,167 per year versus $11,732 for Nelly Bay, a difference of $565 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Nelly Bay (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Picnic Bay (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Nelly Bay and $2,099 in Picnic Bay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,490 from Nelly Bay and $2,925 from Picnic Bay to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Nelly Bay and $192 from Picnic Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Nelly Bay costs a cumulative $134,494 and Picnic Bay costs $128,017 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $6,477 in favour of Picnic Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay 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.
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Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.