Goin up north or out bush to build up hours was a key stepping stone in the typical Australian pilot's career with the ultimate aim to land a position with an Australian airline in a capital city.
The question that should be asked is why was it a key stepping stone?? If anyone is seriously tossing up between going up north to do GA or going to the USA then really it's a no-brainer. Even GA in the USA is probably better flying experience than GA in Australia with about 1000% more opportunity to advance.