Hi Rob, and
to the IIS forum. You have come to the right place.
You will receive buckets of good advice from the folk here. Resist purchasing anything until you have done a little homework! One fundamental suggestion will be to go along to a group viewing night where you can look through several different telescope types, and ask lots of questions.
Don't be fooled by the outrageous claims of 'supermarket' telescopes!
There are public viewing nights up at Mt Stromlo, but they have finished for the season and don't start up again until March. But, there are many folk locally that may be set up and prepared to let you have a look. There are a few in the Murrumbateman/Yass area on this forum.
Contact the Canberra Astronomical Society for information on their viewing nights.
Cheers
John