Qantas has also been pretty consistent in ruinning a package deal for $999-$1099 from LAX, where you can get 5 nights hotel in Sydney in addition to the airfare.
They have a package on their web site right now, good May through August, for $1499 that includes air to Australia, as well as connecting flights between Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns, and hotels for 13 nights. This package is at the following link:
http://www.qantas.australia.com/
This has to be booked by Dec 8. They were advertising this right after the Olympics to draw people over. This is a pretty good deal if you have to reserve hotels.