First thing Bazooka - edit the above post to read astronomy!!
Secondly, the astronomy society that covers southern Brisbane and the Gold Coast is the Southern Astronomical Society(SAS). Their website is
www.sas.org.au Many of the members live on the coast, so if you hook up with them you should be able get some direct help from them.
Otherwise, welcome the forum, ask as many questions as you like - people here are only too happy to help. We have all been noobes at some stage and the equipment can be daunting.
The advice you will probably hear (and its good advice) - take your time in deciding, get out and try before you buy (if possible), and decide on what you want to do (photography vs visual observation) primarily at the start as this will determine what features you require in your equipment. You seem keen to research and get advice so you are off to a good start
If visual astronomy is your desire, then you can't go past a newtonian scope on a dob base - this will give you the most aperture (light gathering / seeing fainter objects / more resolution) for your money.
I am sure some of the more equipment minded members will give you more details.
cheers