Need your help for minimizing miles and planning award travel within Australia. I want to use AAdvantage miles to book Award flights to various Australian cities. For example, beginning or ending in either MEL or SYD, I wish to travel to Perth, Ayres Rock/Alice Springs, and Cairns. What might be the best routing to visit these 5 destinations, and yet, minimize the mileage needed?

Also, I see that it takes 20K to travel coach for one roundtrip ticket. Does that include roundtrip traveling between SYD or MEL to Perth? What about traveling from MEL or SYD to Perth, then return to Ayers Rock? Can that be done using 20K for a multi stop trip like that, or would it be 20K for each leg? Thanks.

I am not concerned with award travel to Australia, just air travel within, and using award flights with AAdvantage miles.

Is it difficult to find award flights within Australia if booking early?

Thanks for your help, information, and suggestions.