Rick Steves Style Guidebook for Australia?

I don't think you could go too far wrong with a lonely planet or DK eye witness guidebook.
or just google the tourism sites.
http://www.australia.com/en
there are a number of aussie's who post on this site, so just ask.
hope this helps.

We rely on the DK Eyewitness travel guide - it's rhe only pub we bring with us in fact. The company also publishes "Back Roads Australia" if you're considering an extended self drive trip. Both are excellent, and you can usually pick up a used copy of either on Amazon for just a few dollars.

What do you consider a "Rick Steves style" guidebook?

It's where the Lonely Planet guidebook empire started and that firm's forum, equivalent to this one, is still named Thorn Tree in honour of the outback's rural message board.

Go to the library. Check out every guidebook they have. Take your time browsing them at home. Buy the one you like best. If some books have a few specific pages you like, or maybe a good map or walking tour, make a few xerox copies.

What area(s) are you interested in? Its a big country....roughly the size of the US but main attractions are pretty spread out. I would recommend at least a month here.

Lonely Planet Australia is a good generic guide. I think Lonely Planet publish a guide for each Australian state too. do you want to carry 5 or 6 books around? dk Eyewitness guide I believe is very good. When you are travelling in Australia every capital city and most regional areas in all the states have very good informative Visitor Information Centres where you can pick up free guides/maps etc. They will also have up to date information on any events etc. in their area.