Thaks all for your responses.
I am indeed from around Canberra (Greenleigh to be specific).
We're pretty lucky here as we live in the hills up behind Canberra, with a large deck surrounded by cleared space, then bush, so the night skies are pretty dark facing away from Canberra (trees protect the skyline on the Canberra side)
After posting earlier I purchased a couple of new eyepieces. A 6mm TMB off Sylvain (seemed like a good buy) and a Televue 11mm Plossl for around $60 delivered (looks new) - both forum purchases that I couldn't be happier with.
Unfortunately it's either been heliishly cold or cloudy so I've not tried them but it was clear that the TMB eyepiece was in a different league vs. it's GSO brother.
When / where do the local Astro guys catch up ? Oh and if you'd like to come over with your porta-scope and set-up out the back with me (and let some experience rub off) we brew a mean hot chocolate
