Overall score
Bonnells Bay
51.8/100
Sunshine
27.2/100
Bonnells Bay for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Bonnells Bay
51.8/100
Sunshine
27.2/100
Crime rate
Bonnells Bay
76.5 / 1k
Sunshine
77.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bonnells Bay
49
Sunshine
22
Population
Bonnells Bay
4,066
Sunshine
475
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Bonnells Bay | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 51.8/100 | 27.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.4/100 | 40.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 76.5 / 1k | 77.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 62 | 4 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 6.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 49 | 22 |
| Planning activity | 20 | 3 |
| Population | 4,066 | 475 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 4/10 |
Bonnells Bay is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Sunshine is a settled metro smaller community that balances access with everyday calm. Bonnells Bay sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Sunshine is further out with more breathing room.
Bonnells Bay tends to lead on housing affordability and public transport access, while Sunshine stands out for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves.
On balance, retirees and investors are more likely to prefer Bonnells Bay, while Sunshine remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.