I am going to Oz in January 2023 (I hope!) and feel fortunate that my TA who books my flights using points has me from LAX>HND>SYD on ANA in Business. My tour starts in MEL but I have a couple of days after I arrive into SYD to either stay there and explore or fly out the next morning beforeI decide about onward travel.
Still have to get from my home airport (which I can use award miles) but I grabbed the options I was given using Aeroplan after transferring miles from Chase. I may go a day early to LAX-that gives me extra time to start to adjust to the time change so I am okay with that. I live in the Central Time Zone.
Still waiting to see if I can get back to the US from Auckland in February where my tour ends. Seems like an eternity but if it happens it happens. Just glad to at least try to plan.
I hope the OP is successful in October! Good luck!