Originally Posted by Mwenenzi

As BNE-BCI is QF2532 and BCI-LRE is also QF2532 Qantas may count this as 1 flight even if booked separately. But you would still need to check in at BCI boarding gate. Worth a phone call to QF. BNE-BCI-LRE great circle map.

You may find a cheap flight from BNE or OOL for less than the $150 extra you are paying. OOL is not far from BNE and easy to get to. JQ with a bundle gets the ~

{RIP: the bus}