Hi Tim,
Like you, I'm fairly new to astronomy.
Well I Googled Pingrup WA, and my standard line might be a hard due to distance, but I will suggest it any way.
Can I suggest joining a club / society (at least check it out).
The info you'll pick up is extremely helpful, there is more to astronomy that looking in telescopes, stuff like :- Spectrograph, Collimation, ect. The wealth of knowledge and experience of the members is great.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/clublistings.html
Some club have loan telescopes (that's how I learnt dods mount was easy, and my friend's equatorial mount frustrating).
Mt Barker (about 2-3hrs away) or Perth mmm wellll.
Don't race off and buy a telescope just yet. Get your -
Planisphere (I like Quasar Publishing [blue & white] with Planet Finder card),
Red light torch (dual beam LED light is better),
A good reliable compass,
A comfortable chair preferably one you can lean back in,
Find a safe spot were your not effected by too much light pollution (or face away from it),
And enjoy.
Other things you may wish to use are-
A good set of Binoculars,
and maybe download Stellarium (is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope)
Binos or telescope it pays to deal with an Optical shop (most of them are astronomers their advice very helpful), as apposed to a non optical (dept type) stores who sell camping equipment ect as well as optical stuff.
On the bright side the skies over Pingrup WA must be perfect.
Hopefully I was able to help you.
Regards
Joe ( Iceaxe )