$900 each return! Did you score that through a travel agent?
My booking with Air New Zealand back in early October ended up being $1202 + $88 with preferred seating (at the back (2-4-2 seating), window seat for the overnight hops) - quotes online at the moment appears similar to what I paid.
I get to skip LAX entirely as well as take in a few more climbs/descents.
My new passport should be on track to arrive within a few weeks too. TINY bit excited. ;D I just have to sort out accommodation now - I'll aim to do that before February.
(Btw, Plan A will be Madras rather than Salem. I have a ("professional") driver sorted already. Plan B I guess would be Salem and Plan C & D would be to fly to interstate if the weather is looking armageddon. I *should* do better than Cairns 2012... It's going to be a great adventure either way.)