In case anyone is thinking of getting a conspiracy theory together, the two aeroplanes have been seen together! I give you "The Old Bus" and "The New Bus":
Both photos were taken at the old Brisbane (Eagle Farm) Airport on 18th November 87 when the original "Southern Cross" was being towed to its display building at the new airport. At this time, both the original and the replica shared something in common with another aeroplane of much later vintage - the Canberra. The replica uses Canberra mainwheel tyres and, for the purposes of the tow, the original was fitted with a pair of Canberra nosewheels to avoid damaging the original wheels and tyres. The tailskid of the original was supported on a wheel which probably owed more to a wheelbarrow than to anything aviation. This accounts for the unusual attitude on the original which is nearer the camera in both views.