I agree that an owner hiring to a new ppl is pretty unlikely. You're more likely to get a PA28 or C172 from a flying school, maybe even where you learnt. Having said that, as you are planning Brisbane to Port Pirie, why not post this in the Pacific GA forum? You'd get answers from Australia rather than the other side of the world. Who knows, you may even get a lead on an aircraft.
As for the trip, why go back the same way? The outback looks much the same in each direction. Think of returning via Broken Hill, Cobar, Coffs Harbour, 500' coastal, Gold Coast, Q1 then Archerfield? That way you will include Class D and Class C control zones. You may even get some practice with restricted areas around Evans Head. All good if you're planning on CPL.
Last edited by fujii; 16th Mar 2016 at 05:18.