Yep, I got 99% of my hours in Oz. All 4500 of them!
I can't remember Basair's in Sydney's website details. It is a very good website with lots of good info. However, a friend went there and he wasn't that happy. Look up
CASA's for more info re temporary PPL's.
I got a mate that runs a flying school at Bankstown and Coff's Harbour, NSW. She runs Aerospace Aviation. I flew with them recently and I found her instructors to be quite good. I can't remember the rates off hand but the Partenavia was about $280/hr dual. Aerospace does have a website...
I can recommend flying around Coff's. Very scenic.
Cairns is good as it is coming into the Dry Season now and the weather is pretty stable and not too hot.
If you can look up yellowpages.com.au (or whatever the URL is) do a search for flying school/aeroclubs and it should point you in the right direction re Cairns. I know there is a very good school at Innisfail about an hour or so down the road from Cairns.
You'll have a great time flying in Oz. The navigation and RT will stand you in good stead for when you return to the UK. The RT is very similar. Plus you'll have a really enjoyable holiday.