I guess you are Australia based? I am in UK so maybe different protocols.
You can start your Nav plan from a handy "Set Heading Point" rather than overhead the airport.
The SHP should be an easily recognisable feature in the local area within a few miles of the airport. You leave the circuit at the end of one of the circuit legs and then eyeball it to the SHP where you set course with no track error.
Hope this helps.