Hi Psyche,
I saw the ISS the other night passing over at dusk from SSW to NNE and it was brighter than every star out at the time and VERY steady light. The time I watched it for was about 30-40 seconds from just south of Sydney to well off the coast of Newcastle by the time it faded into the twilight.
I stood there transfixed staring at the sky wondering if it really was the ISS, realised it was and forgot that my 11x70 binos and scope were about 2m away inside the closed garage door DOH!!
Oh well, next time.
If you see a "satellite" trailing across the sky that is as bright or brighter than Sirius, bam, ISS.
Cheers
Chris