1500 Aussie dollars is about the same in can. Dollars, without knowing your bike market, it seems kinda high. A comparable non disk brake bike here could be in the 1k range with a non suspension front fork.
Given how little you plan to ride, I wonder if you'd be just as happy with a bike costing 500 less, you could buy other bike or touring stuff with the saved money. Only you know what bikes are in your area and at what prices.