First, you'll need a good all-round search engine. Google is difficult to beat, as it allows you to search within different countries, as well as a vast range of Internet resources, including the Web, videos, images, blogs, to name only a few.

Next, any writing task will benefit from having a dictionary and a thesaurus handy. Reference.com is an excellent resource. It features a dictionary with an audio pronunciation  guide, thesaurus, word games, encyclopaedia as well as quotations, to spark the creative process!

Another useful resource is Wikipedia. Remember, however, that while Wikipedia has a vast number of articles, it's strength and weakness is that is it compiled by web users around the world and as a 'wiki' anybody can edit articles. Just remember to cite your use of it, and to use additional research on your topic.

Having an atlas nearby is not only useful for checking where countries are, but you can also confirm how to spell their names, geographical information, maps and other cultural information. All of this will help your writing to be accurate and well-informed. Two websites that are always worth book marking are atlapedia.com and Google Earth. Google Earth can be downloaded to your desktop on your computer, or browsed online. It offers a wealth of geographical information, including the ability to quickly 'fly' around the world, view cities in street view, explore the varying terrains of different countries, oceans and even the solar system.

Being familiar with the style of newspaper writing, and reading a newspaper regularly is an important skill in English. It helps with general knowledge, gives you ideas for creative writing, and helps familiarise you with texts often used in School Certificate exams. Below are listed some links to Australian media resources, including the national broadcaster: ABC, News Limited, and the Sydney Morning Herald.

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney's daily broadsheet newspaper.
News Limited - includes Australia's national daily broadsheet newspaper, The Australian, and a Sydney tabloid newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, among many other holdings.
ABC - Australia's national, government owned broadcaster.