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76.0 km from CBD
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True annual cost of living in Wonga Beach, QLD 4873

Living in a house in Wonga Beach costs about $13,640 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Wonga Beach sits 76.0 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Unit costs come in at $8,490, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,600 body corporate levy. At 76.0km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $3,018 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 60% of Cairns Regional Council suburbs, about 21% below the regional average.
Home insurance is the biggest expense at $7,500, roughly 55% of the annual total.
Switching from driving to public transport saves $3,018 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
$13,640
Driving · per year
$1,137/month
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$8,490
Incl. body corporate
$708/month
House vs unit difference
−$5,150
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 · 76.0km from CBD · 192 days
$3,210
Home insurance
Estimated · flood Low · fire Low
$7,500
Total annual running cost
$13,640
($1,137/month)
↓ 21% below Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○ 6.7/10 Good
Cheaper to run than 60% 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 Wonga Beach's climate zone at 2025 rates. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Compare Wonga Beach with another suburb
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Wonga Beach to the CBD?
Public transport saves Wonga Beach residents $3,018 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $3,210 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Wonga Beach?
Wonga Beach 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 Wonga Beach?
Running a unit in Wonga Beach costs approximately $8,490 per year by car or $5,472 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,165, water and sewerage $1,765, estimated body corporate levy of $1,600, and contents insurance of $750. 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.