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Map of Gordonvale
18.4 km from Cairns CBD
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True annual cost of living in Gordonvale, QLD 4865

Living in a house in Gordonvale costs about $14,082 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Gordonvale sits 18.4 kilometres from Cairns CBD. Unit costs come in at $10,602, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,000 body corporate levy. At 18.4km from Cairns CBD, transport mode shifts the annual total by $4,759. The gap widens as commute costs rise.

Last updated July 2026 · Cairns Regional Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 56% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs, about 22% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $6,200, roughly 44% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $4,759 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$14,082
Driving · per year
$1,174/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$10,602
Incl. body corporate
$884/month
House vs unit difference
−$3,480
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Cairns Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,166
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$1,765
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 18.4km from Cairns CBD · 192 days
$4,951
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$6,200
Total annual running cost
$14,082
($1,174/month)
↓ 22% below Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.4/10 Average
Cheaper to run than 56% 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
$2,373/yr
5,933 kWh
Unit
$1,945/yr
4,450 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Gordonvale's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

Getting around Gordonvale

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Gordonvale, 1,423 m away, about an 18 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Gordonvale Hospital, 1,155 m away, about a 14 minute walk.
Supermarkets
1
Cafes
3
Parks
3
Counted from OpenStreetMap via Overpass inside a 2 km walking radius of the suburb centre, built 2026-08-07. Distances are straight line from that centre, so a specific address can be closer or further. Mapping is contributed and can lag a new opening.

Compare Gordonvale with another suburb

Frequently asked questions about Gordonvale

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Gordonvale to Cairns CBD?

Public transport saves Gordonvale residents $4,759 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $4,951 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Gordonvale?

Gordonvale falls under Cairns Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,166 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,166 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Gordonvale?

Running a unit in Gordonvale costs approximately $10,602 per year by car or $5,843 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,166, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $2,000, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Gordonvale close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Gordonvale is Gordonvale, a train stop about 1,423 m away, about an 18 minute walk. That is measured from the suburb centre, so an individual address can be nearer or further. The commute figure used in the running cost on this page assumes driving, not this service.

What is the closest hospital to Gordonvale?

The closest hospital to the centre of Gordonvale is Gordonvale Hospital, about 1,155 m away, about a 14 minute walk. Distance is straight line from the suburb centre and does not account for the road route or whether the hospital has an emergency department.

What shops and parks are in Gordonvale?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Gordonvale there is 1 supermarket, 3 cafes and 3 parks. These counts come from OpenStreetMap via Overpass, which is contributed mapping and can lag a recent opening or closure.

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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 2026–27 (91c/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.