Because I know Toowoomba is about two and a half hours from Brisbane where I am... Looks like you'll be cruising with us when you can, you'll have to get up early though and bring a packed lunch.

Oh well you can blow up that bridge when you get to it. First learn and hone your driving skills, until then keep up the good work here on the forums.
As for the gearbox debacle... I thing Damo has hit the nail on the head with his advice. Just replace the 3spd if the current one's fooked but if you have the mechanical knowledge or know someone who does (I don't know if you do) then think about going the manual conversion. I imagine all the bits or a whole donor car would be hard to come by in Charleville. Something to think about though.
At the very least you know a 3spd will be cheap and easy to get it fixed.