Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Mobile Wifi Hotspot Rental Options

I am going to be in Australia Nov 4-Nov23, and I'll be traveling up the coast from SYD to CNS, and I'd like to have Internet available the most of the way to connect my laptop, iPhone, or iPad, and Blackberry, especially while on the road to pass the time.

I heard about renting a mobile wifi hotspot, and Google seemed to only turn up two options:
http://www.cellularabroad.com/australiaRmifi.php
http://www.xcomglobal.com/?gclid=CP-S8__SqKsCFUgZQgodLC6S2Q

The Xcom option gives unlimited access but appears to be $15/day, or $285. The Mifi option from CA appears to be about $100+shipping+$39 per 2GB of data. Not sure how much data I'll actually end up using.

Anyone have any comments on any better options, and on the coverage or quality of either services? Is there anything I can just pick up at the SYD airport and drop off there on my way home?

Just buy one. The last I bought (Telstra NextG) was AUD$109 for a device and a 6GB or 8GB (or some number of GB) data pack.

The devices are so cheap they're basically consumable, I wouldn't bother renting.

OK, good advice. Where do I get one? Is Telstra the best one and will it work all the way up the coast?

Or if your iphone is unlocked just put a telstra SIM in it and activate the personal hotspot feature. Telstra is by far the best.

It's not unlocked. Please tell me where to buy a Telstra hot spot and if it is going to be a good company for coverage up the coast.

You can buy the Telstra deal from any Telstra shop. A store locator is here:

http://www.store-locator.telstra.com.au/

And yes, I'd expect you to have close to 100% coverage between Brisbane and Cairns.

Telstra mobile wifi is definitely your best option, with 5GB for AU$99 for 90 days. Link:

http://www.telstra.com.au/bigpond-internet/mobile-broadband/prepaid/get-started/index.htm

Thank you. The store locator says there is a shop in the Sydney airport's Qantas terminal, so that will work great!

Just buy one. The last I bought (Telstra NextG) was AUD$109 for a device and a 6GB or 8GB (or some number of GB) data pack.

The devices are so cheap they're basically consumable ...You've got that right!

Two years ago (July '11) I bought that Telstra NextG for $129, including 5GB of data in 30 days. Now I'm going back to Oz this July, so I started looking on the Telstra site for 're-charge' options. For $50 you can get 3 GB of data in 30 days, or 6 GB in 90 days for $100. But a couple of clicks sideways and I found them selling the same modem I have, now with a list price of $79 and presently on sale for half-price -- $39.50 -- including 5 GB of data.

Not to get all overwrought about it but I am of an age and class where 'waste not, want not' is burned into my psyche. It bugs the hell out of me that it makes no sense to buy a re-charge for my still-perfectly-good modem when I can get more data for less money by leaving it aside and getting another one. :(

cheers,

Henry