Routing - Thailand to Australia

[PLP]

Having now been successfully confused by various opinions, including Jimmy Connell's book - has anybody recent (or past) experience of sailing from Thailand/Singapore to the east coast of Australia? It seems a juggle between taking the direct southern route via Bali and Dili to Thursday Is & beyond in November before the cyclone season, or the east over Brunei and Nth Papua N.G. to Vanuata before 'westing' to Cairns. Our 50' timber ketch has a 120hp Perkins so a bit of motoring isn't a big issuee - but we would like to sail. Looking forward to your comments