Thanks for all the tips, if only flying wasn't so expensive, I'd do another trip!
Ended up staying in Benalla, proximity to the town and a not very accomodating caravan park at YSHT tipped the scales.
If anyone needs a stopover further north I'd recommend Mudgee, the aero club has accommodation on the field and access to a vehicle, there is also a nice modern terminal building with an all important coffee machine.
Luke