Hi Iain, welcome to observing.
I think you are doing the right thing with planning your viewing. I find that if I just pick up a scope and go out into the backyard, I look at the same things over and over.
When I first got my 10" pusher dob, I set off on a
Messier hunt. Awesome way to get started. There are only 110 objects, albeit spread out a little unevenly and only about 90% are visible from Australia. However the list is well supported in literature including Wikipedia (free) so researching where to find objects and when is easy. Also the variety of objects is a great way to get a feel for what deep space objects all appear like. You will quickly get used to distinguishing between open clusters, globulars, galaxies etc. plus you get the thrill of the chase. I'm up to 95/110 with just the low horizon northern objects to go.
My other source of targets is good old Australian Sky and Telescope. Columns like "Going Deep", anything by Sue French stuff like that great source of ideas. In fact it's the only reason I buy the magazine.
Good luck. Make sure you post about how you go on IIS.
Adam