As someone currently living in the west of Ireland I can sympathise with you regarding the weather. I have not taken my astro camera out in almost two years! I was lucky enough to be based in the Sydney and Melbourne for a few years before coming back to Ireland.
It is a photographers paradise and it is where I was bitten by the astrophotography bug (plus a few insects
)
As mentioned, attending the South Pacific Star Party is a great idea. You will meet plenty of like minded photographers there and get some good advice where to go. The site itself is very dark and I have taken some of my best shots from the site. Bring a wide angle lens for those amazing Milky Way shots. The Ice in Space astro camp at Lostock is also well worth a visit. Pick up a small tent when you arrive in Aus and you will be all set or rent a camper van.
I have a few shots taken of the ASNSW and Lostock sites and some astro objects taken from there on my Flickr site.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7703127@N07/page3
Since I returned to Ireland it now is mostly pictures of ducks
