Congrats on your visa - well done!!!!
Were heading for Melbourne, but Mornington Peninsular - its lovely and has everything, but it might be a bit far from the CBD for you by the sounds of it - but worth a look, its loverly. Furnished places are really hard to come by I understand.
So check out the link below for holiday rentals for when you first arrive. We're gonna book from here (I have been told you can use your UK credit card online to pay). Were shipping our stuff over, but need a holiday rental for first few weeks, so thought a holiday home would be ideal as it has everything you need.
Some people have mentioned caravans & camper vans too, coz its cheaper....... Lots of people heading for Point cook/hoopers crossing too.
Oh......Dont forget January is the school holiday time over in Oz (high season), so rentals will be more expensive then........ might be worth going over a bit before or a bit after - just a thought!!!!!!
http://www.stayz.com.au/?s_cid=GAW:o...ozstays:435500
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/mornington/