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65.2 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Bonnie Doon, QLD 4873

Living in a house in Bonnie Doon costs about $13,506 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Bonnie Doon sits 65.2 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $9,126, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. At 65.2km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $3,884 more per year than public transport users.

Last updated July 2026 · Cairns Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 88c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights
Cheaper to run than 67% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs, about 22% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $6,500, roughly 48% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,884 a year, a significant saving at this distance.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$13,506
Driving · per year
$1,126/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$9,126
Incl. body corporate
$761/month
House vs unit difference
−$4,380
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Cairns Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,165
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$1,765
Driving commute
ATO 88c/km · 65.2km from CBD · 192 days
$4,076
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$6,500
Total annual running cost
$13,506
($1,126/month)
↓ 22% below Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.9/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 67% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).
Estimated electricity cost typical 2-person household
House
$2,218/yr
5,933 kWh
Unit
$1,773/yr
4,450 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Bonnie Doon's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Bonnie Doon with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Bonnie Doon to the CBD?
Public transport saves Bonnie Doon residents $3,884 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,076 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Bonnie Doon?
Bonnie Doon falls under Cairns Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,165 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,165 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Bonnie Doon?
Running a unit in Bonnie Doon costs approximately $9,126 per year by car or $5,242 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,165, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,400, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Cairns Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated 2026-07.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.