Hi all,
Long time lurker, first poster here...
I have to say me too I don't understand the policy of putting rather decrepit equipment on such a high profile and busy route. Especially because it's a long journey, you'd want a modern and clean plane.
When I went down under last autumn, I did the outbound on a QF A380 and the return flight on a BA 747, both in J. The A380 gets my vote every time, in every respect a better plane IMHO. More modern, more spacious, better finish, definitely quieter. I can't wait for BA to get their A380s...