Next week I travel MEL>ADL>SYD>MEL, which will cost $1,060 on QF and VA.
In the next six months I have booked MEL>SYD x 3 and MEL>BNE x 2...total cost $1,020! Mostly Rex, some of the >BNE is VA at $89 each way.
That's the difference between short notice and be able to plan ahead to take...