Originally Posted by soorox

EK only flies MEL-KUL, but I think the OP should just stick with the non-stop option from BNE.

But lets see the OW lounges at the 3 airports for future reference:

Melbourne
- Qantas Business Class Lounge
- Qantas First Class Lounge (F or OWE only)
- Cathay Pacific First & Business Class Lounge
- Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge

In MEL you have the most choices, but without a doubt, the QF lounges are the best, I wouldn't even waste my time in the MH & CX lounges as these are in need of refurbishments. Would be great if CX can do something like "The Pier" or "The Cabin" lounges in MEL.

Sydney
- Qantas Business Class Lounge
- Qantas First Class Lounge (F or OWE only)

SYD's QF J lounge is slightly better than MEL's and is much larger and has more offerings IMHO. It is also the only OW J Lounge option in SYD.

Brisbane
- Qantas Business Class Lounge

I haven't been so I can't comment, you can't really go wrong as QF's J lounges are pretty much identical. It is also the only OW J Lounge option in SYD.