Everything will work for the Kindle 2 outside the U.S., except there is no free wireless network.

However, there is a problem that you will not be able to get books to the Kindle without an U.S. credit card and shipping address. Do you have a friend from the U.S. that can help? If so, the problem can be solved…

You need an U.S. credit card and shipping address in order to get books on the Kindle (even if you’ve the Kindle device). See the section "Is Kindle available to customers outside the United States?" here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fhelp%2Fcustomer%2Fdisplay.html%3Fie%3DUTF8%26nodeId%3D200316870%26ref%255F%3Dhp%255Fnavbox%255Fhh%255Fk2faq&tag=moreinfo-po-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

And see here on how to make the Kindle device work in Mexico. It just work the same in Australia:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fforum%2Fcd%2Fdiscussion.html%3Fie%3DUTF8%26cdForum%3DFx3P49EL3AOYQ1V%26cdPage%3D1%26cdThread%3DTx9KSO3YDUE62C&tag=moreinfo-po-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

So send the link of the Kindle 2 to your friend and ask him/her to buy the device for you. Then register with his/her Amazon account to get books onto the Kindle.

BTW, I’ve bookmarked an article previously, mentioning how to get the most out of the Kindle device here:

http://www.speedreaderxreview.com/is-kindle-2-worth-the-price

Hope it helps