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Joe,
Previously in the thread it was suggested that you acquire an Aldi sim card for your phone because that particular phone company uses the Telstra network... Be aware though that Aldi does not use the full Telstra network, but 97.5% of it, and by that they mean 97.5% of the population, not 97.5% of the coverage area. (a vastly significant difference)
If you plan on spending any time on the road (particularly in regional and remote areas) the choice reduces to two companies; Telstra and Boost. Telstra might interest you if you simply have to be on a 4G network. However, their customer service department is run by none other than Satan himself.
Boost will allow you access to the full Telstra 3G network (what you get in regional and remote areas) and has a customer service policy which differs from Telstra in as much as it caters for actual real live human beings. It is also considerably cheaper.
For $40 (US$30) you get unlimited calls, unlimited texts, 3Gig of data (though this seems to vary depending on the promotions they have going at any particular time) with a bonus 1Gig of data on Sundays. (so up to 7 Gig a month) This may (or may not) seem expensive relative to the rates in the US, but in this country at least, that is as good as it gets. With the appropriate handset, you will be able to tether a laptop or tablet to the phone and enjoy internet access. (Highly recommended) If you call the Boost customer call centre, they will instruct you on how to do this. If you opt for Telstra, put aside a day to achieve the same outcome.
fwiw) The download speed I get with boost through my mobile in the metro area is typically 2 to 3 times faster than what I get over naked DSL.
With boost, you will be able to make calls using the sim card once you leave the country (it might be useful in transit) and call international numbers from within Australia. I am of the understanding that with Aldi, you can do neither.
The sim cards themselves are easy enough to obtain. They are available from many different locations, most likely any supermarket you walk in to. It is also likely that the sim card you get will need to be trimmed down to fit your phone. If the person who sells you the sim card cannot do it nor direct you to someone who can, ask directions to the nearest 'Dick Smith' store and they will be able to help you out.
In Australia you will need to present a certain amount of ID before you can be sold a sim card. It might be worth checking what form of ID is required before heading out to buy one.
If it was me taking the trip, I would seriously consider investing in a handset with a good aerial. for example; the reception you get with a Samsung (lovely phone in most other respects) doesn't hold a candle to what you will experience with a Nokia. I would also suggest getting a 'hands free' mount for the car so you can use it as a GPS navigator. (also highly recommended)
And that raises another point that you need to be aware of... If you are observed using a telephone in a vehicle in this country in any manner what so ever by a member of our police farce (and that includes simply touching it, even if you are stationary) you will be up for a stiff fine.
Anyway... some points worth a little research.
best
c
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