Hello Nick and Rebecca and welcome.
It always pays to do your homework before purchasing a telescope or anything for that matter and I am sure everyone here will do their best to steer you in the right direction.
IceInSpace holds a star party at Kulnura (when it finally stops raining) under dark skies. It is a great opportunity to meet some of us and to also learn a lot about telescopes. I am a member of the Newcastle Astronomical Society (NAS) and you both are most welcome to attend our monthly meetings at the Newcastle Uni.
http://www.nas.org.au/