Is this a bad booking (too short a transfer)?

I wanted to book a flight from Melb to Fiji through Qantas, and the earliest flight out is the 6am to Sydney, with only a 1 hour 10 mins stopover before the SYD to Nadi flight (because I wanted to get to Nadi as quickly as possible with only 2 days there). If on one booking, does this mean they automatically transfer the bag and we just have to rush over to the International flight?

MEL - SYD: 6:00am, landing 7:25am

SYD - NAN: 8:35am, landing 1:45pm

Or is this too risky? Any alternative suggestions? (A note I can only travel on this particular day, which is a Saturday I believe).

You should just make it, provided everything is on time and you know where you're going, but for more of a stress-free experience, I'd suggest taking the non-stop Melbourne-Nadi flight with Fiji Airways (if you're chasing Qantas Points / status), which runs on Saturdays, but does get in about 6 hours later than if you were to be up early and connect through Sydney.

Alternatively, Virgin Australia also runs Melbourne-Nadi flights, which depart late morning and arrive late afternoon.

If you only have two days there, I guess it's a choice between flying through Sydney for a little bit of extra time (but likely spending that time rather tired from the early start and stressful transit), or flying non-stop from Melbourne, getting there a little later but spending that time much more relaxed and significantly less tired, which is what I'd want, especially on such a short holiday.

The other alternative is to take the last flight to Sydney stay in a hotel ( ranging from very nice to very basic) then check in at 6am for your flight.

I'd fly in the night before and overnight at one of the airport hotels. That transfer is legal and possible, but FAR too nerve-wracking for my liking. The slightest snafu with the domestic leg/bus transfer/immigration means you're stuffed.

And yes, on the one booking/PNR means QF will transfer the bags and there's no need to check-in again if travel is same day. BUT if you do choose to fly to SYD the night before, then they'll only check the bag to SYD and you'll need to recheck it there the next morning.

I'm not sure what FAR is (can you spell it out) but check in for an international flight is completely unremarkable. Do you want the stress of your bag not arriving on a straightforward non transfer domestic leg, highly unlikely, (you could even take an earlier flight to be sure) or missing an international connection (much more likely).

I think based on the advice we will fly into Sydney late on the Friday, stay the night and take the early direct out to Nadi - Qantas or Fiji (though I want that double status credit too).

Thanks all!

6am flights are unlikely to be delayed because the plane would have been sitting there overnight. Qantas will probably give you express passes for Sydney immigration. I think flying in the night before is being way too cautious and also wastes money on a Sydney hotel.

If you're flying late Friday, you can also book Melbourne-Nadi non-stop on Fiji Airways, which departs at 11:55pm. Qantas codeshares on this route also, although the fare prices tend to be a little higher than when booked direct through Fiji Airways.

I do this trip monthly and have since March 2019.

I make it more often then not. However should the QF400 be late for any reason, you are very likely to stay in Syd.

Although QF have waited for me a few time.

It can be stressful especially the Syd security staff.

Btw all travel is J