Hey Muzza,
If you're up to the point where you're willing to go into the open sea, i.e. not in the estuaries, then I'd just show up to one of the main launch points and ask to join one of the groups who will inevitably leave from there if the wind is on. In a Southerly that is Mudjimba/Peregian on the North side or Anne St/Wurtulla on the South side; In a Northerly Sunshine/Yaroomba on the North side or S-Bends/Kawana surf club on the South side. Most of the guys on the coast are pretty open and friendly and won't have any problems letting you tag along.
Just note that you will probably travel a lot slower than most groups will, so any comfort you get from travelling in groups will no doubt vanish in the first 20 minutes when they disappear down the coast.
If you want to go it on your own the South side (s-bends to dicky beach) is a great place to cut your teeth, with minimal rocks, less swell than up North and less people/dogs to contend with. Just be aware that if the wind is close to either due North/South it will cut out a lot more down there than on the North side.
If your still in the estuaries then a group isn't probably going to help you much as it's pretty much every man for himself. I stayed well clear of them while I was learning, too much stress.
Have fun and I'll see you out there.
