valid points, but i have to disagree. it is a brutal trip, at least on the the return flight(s).
using new orleans as an example (as i've done this trip from nola about a dozen times), 4 hours to la, almost undoubtedly will have a layover until 8pm (if you are lucky, more like 10/11pm), and 16 hours to melbourne. australian customs takes for what feels like years to get through. 20 hours invested in flying alone. good thing is, from la to australia is mostly nighttime. on the way back though, the opposite as most flights leave in the am; jetlag like a maternal fornicator.
west coast to london can be done in roughly 10 hours. much more feasible.
as for fans, yep. i bet a lot of people would love to visit australia and use it as an reason to do so. wait till they apply for those visas and people quickly find out it is a pain in the arse process. reminds me, my australian passport expires this month.