You don’t state how many in the family and desired class of travel. But did list business class in post 1. Premium economy can be a viable option. A lot better than economy/coach

Different ffp’s have different award seat rules and costs. Depending on the ffp for those who release saver award seats: - 1 business class award seat = difficulty factor 1, 2 seats 1+2=factor 3, 3 seats 1+2+3=factor 6, 4 seats 1+2+3+4=factor 10. That’s far too simplistic and not the way it happens, but you get the idea. Getting say 4 business class seats on the same flight to/from popular destinations at a peak/busy time is very hard. A lot hard than 1 seat and more than 4 times as hard. Dynamic awards (= sky high ff mile cost) are becoming more common.

The mid to end of January is a peak USA/Canada – Australia travel time. Its midsummer down under.. Many Australians take part, most or all of January as a holiday/vacation time. A lot progressively go back to work on the 1st Monday, 2nd Monday, 3rd Monday. 4th Monday of January. A good number go back after the 26 Janurary Australia Day public holiday. Schools & universities start the new academic year late January / early February. So those who have been overseas are returning. A lot of VFR traffic at that time (visiting friends and relations)

The Australian Tennis open happens in the last ~14 days of January in Melbourne (16 Jan to 29 Jan for 2023). That travelling circus of players, players entourage, tennis officials, media by the dozen and some well heeled spectators take up a good number of the premium seats to/from AU at that time. Some people book flights & hotels a year in advance. Escaping the northern hemisphere winter is an attraction.