Check out a free app called SkEye, it has a nice targeting feature when you search for planets, stars, Messiers, constellations.
On the laptop, Stellarium is free and great.
Have a crack at Saturn on your first night out, its high in the sky and very rewarding. The jewel box is also a nice one.
As for weather, skippy sky is worth a look
http://www.skippysky.com.au/ and weatherunderground
http://www.wunderground.com/
Also consider getting this book, lots of info and a calendar for each month of things to see.
http://www.bookworld.com.au/books/as...FUVwvAodyCUAWg
Have fun!