Reacquainted with GA after a long absence

Just been for my first fly in a GA aircraft after nearly 20 year absence and forgot how much I enjoyed it. Have never left aviation but just the private stuff, really enjoyed having a fly with a few young guys I have mentored through a program at work and keen to continue in the GA universe. Unpleaseantly surprised at the inflated prices some places are charging out aircraft if young pilots need to access the VET fee help for flying lessons, gone are the days of going to TAFE to learn the theory as many of us older pilots did.

Looking forward to hearing if anyone has recommended aircraft for private hire around Sydney or Central coast (+-150km radius) as the ones I have seen at Bankstown so far have been rather tatty and unfortunately not planning on doing enough hours to justify share ownership like Alpha, but looking for something that I can treat like my own (ie clean and maintain) and be proud to take the family in?