You guys are really spread out and maybe one day you will have shorter distances to travel between all of you.Driving 4500 km is far as I have done 2800 as my longest and it is really tiring. I contemplated sticking the car on the train for the trip back.
Yes, it's a long way, and in Australia it means lots of nothing in between small towns...Although there is still things to see and do. Depends which route one takes. I've done it several times and I love the drive, but it's a long way.