Thank you everyone! I really appreciate all of the advice.
Yes, we are hoping to get there for our 1 year anniversary in order to see the eclipse, it should be a really amazing experience for us!
I like the idea of using BA to get there in Business Class via Brisbane, and then AA to come back.
Does anyone have any ideas about using US Airways or United miles in order to do the trip? I am far less versed with how to use those miles but I see that at least United is a partner with Virgin Australia, which should be running the same flight.
Does anyone have experience with US Airways/United Miles for trips within Australia or have any ideas for that?
Thanks again everybody!!