I remember reading about how UK passengers on VS use Amsterdam as their start/finish point for flights and save.

So I did a comparison for the dates of my likely next trip to OZ, J to and fro BNE. I didnt compare individual flights for the convenience, or lack of, of their respective routes or departure/arrival times etc.

Currently, ex LHR the cheapest return shown is £4611. Ex AMS the cheapest return shown is £3217. That is an incredible saving. The flights to and fro LHR-AMS, a hotel, a decent dinner, a couple of bottles of wine and still a load of money in the wallet (depending upon what wine you actually drink!!).