Skype in Australia

[frostyspecs]

I am trying to learn as much as my little brain will allow about the above subject. My young grandaughter intends to go to The Gold Coast nr Brisbane in the early new year.amI intend buying her a netbook and all the cost of setting up her skype and mine but would like to know answers to the following?
1 Does skype work in Australia in the Gold Coast on mobile broadband also video via web cam.

2. The more I read on the Skypes site the more complicated it seems to get ie. go to a page then refers one to a sub page and then that page refers you to another sub page and you end up reading 1000 pages and forget what you started at.
3. What is the cheapest way to start using skype lock stock and barrel or where do I look for samples.
I am sorry if these questions seem very elementry but I am not know the sharpest knife etc TIA

[hc4361]

Skype is totally free to make calls skype to skype. No costs involved at all, even for video calls.

Mobile broadband might be horribly expensive. If you buy it in the UK there will be roaming charges. Look in to the possibility of her buying it in Australia. No idea of mobile broadband connectivity but there are plenty of wifi connections she can use.

[whiskeryron]

I can't answer for the Gold coast but I am in Skype contact with a cousin in NZ & not only chatted but also he has shown me around his bungalow with a Web Cam & a long lead & all for free with Skype.

[tamborine]

it does work from Brisbane - chat to sis regularly.....load up lappys & log on

Meanwhile: have a look at these webcams - tis 4am at present so darkness.....you'll have to be an owl to catch her.

http://www.coastalwatch.com/camera/cameras_large.aspx?cam=1300&state=QLD&t=4:16:15%20AM&camName=Surfers%20Paradise

[frostyspecs]

Many thanks for all who answered my question all very useful and helpful.
called in the local Vodafone shop after I posted and they said the same. Once again many thanks