FYI QF "collect" families with small children in the back section of the plane unless they request to be seated elsewhere. Sometimes it's not the place to be.
Personally I hate flying through SYD because (a) even if the plane arrives early you cannot land due to curfew, (b) you have to take a bus ride from the intl to domestic terminals. I fly QF94 (AA7356) through MEL.
Also be aware that the rugby world cup is on in Oct. This will generally bump up traffic on all routes (although less so from the US cf Europe/Africa where extra flights have been scheduled).