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Map of Ooralea
5.7 km from Mackay CBD
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True annual cost of living in Ooralea, QLD 4740

Living in a house in Ooralea costs about $9,364 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Ooralea sits 5.7 kilometres from Mackay CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,086, as lower council rates more than offset the $2,000 body corporate levy. Switching from driving to public transport saves $1,658 per year at this distance.

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

3 key insights

Cheaper to run than 93% of Mackay Regional Council suburbs, about 28% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $4,000, roughly 43% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $1,658 a year.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$9,364
Driving · per year
$780/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,086
Incl. body corporate
$674/month
House vs unit difference
−$1,278
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Mackay Regional Council 2026-27 · minimum rate
$1,466
Water & sewerage
Mackay Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2026-27
$2,048
Driving commute
ATO 91c/km · 5.7km from Mackay CBD · 192 days
$1,850
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$4,000
Total annual running cost
$9,364
($780/month)
↓ 28% below Mackay Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●●○ 8.5/10 Excellent
Cheaper to run than 93% of Mackay Regional Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,140/yr
5,126 kWh
Unit
$1,770/yr
3,845 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Ooralea'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 Ooralea

within a 2 km walk
Nearest stop
Mackay, 1,930 m away, about a 24 minute walk. It is a train stop.
Nearest hospital
Mackay Base Hosiptal, 3,888 m away, about a 49 minute walk.
Supermarkets
1
Cafes
4
Parks
32
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.

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Frequently asked questions about Ooralea

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Ooralea to Mackay CBD?

Public transport saves Ooralea residents $1,658 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $1,850 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.

What are the council rates in Ooralea?

Ooralea falls under Mackay Regional Council. The minimum residential general rate for 2026-27 is $1,466 per year for an owner-occupied house. Properties on higher land value pay more. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,528 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.

What does it cost to run a unit in Ooralea?

Running a unit in Ooralea costs approximately $8,086 per year by car or $6,428 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,528, water and sewerage $2,048, estimated body corporate levy of $2,000, and contents insurance of $660. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

Is Ooralea close to public transport?

The nearest scheduled service to the centre of Ooralea is Mackay, a train stop about 1,930 m away, about a 24 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 Ooralea?

The closest hospital to the centre of Ooralea is Mackay Base Hosiptal, about 3,888 m away, about a 49 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 Ooralea?

Within a 2 km walk of the centre of Ooralea there is 1 supermarket, 4 cafes and 32 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: Mackay Regional Council 2026-27. Water: Mackay 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.