The best value beginner scopes to wet your whistle and spark your interest would be either of these 2... Both are tabletop dobsonians...
Kson 4" for $99 + 30ish delivery from here
http://www.australiatelescopes.com.a...my-scope.html#
http://www.australiatelescopes.com.a...-telescope.jpg
or a
Skywatcher Heritage 5" collapsible for $199 including delivery from here
http://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatche...telescope.html
http://cdn.ozscopes.com.au/media/cat...ge-p130l_1.gif
I bought the Kson but probably, in hindsight, should have gone the extra inch...
Here's a review on the 5" Heritage