Specified work in regional Australia

I recently arrived in Sydney on work holiday visa (417).
In order to be eligible for second year work holiday visa, I must complete 3 months of specified work in regional Australia.
immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/specified-work.htm
(I can't post full urls since I'm fairly new on this board)

I would like to hear if anyone here has an experience with this "specified" work.

While I'm not terribly picky about jobs, I don't want to do fruit picking. I'd rather opt out for perhaps more labor intensive but better paying job, the mining industry.
The followings are listed as "specified" work in mining
* coal mining
* oil and gas extraction
* metal ore mining
* non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying
* exploration and other mining support services

What sort of work can I find in this field?
FYI: my background is computer science. Eventually, I'd like to land a job in IT but unfortunately, my field isn't part of the specified work.

-- Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:44 am --

I got some great answers thru private messaging. thank you.

After my WH visa expires, am I allowed to apply for tourist visa (676)?
I checked the website and it doesn't state anything as such but I just wanted to be sure.

Do what I did and join WWOOF Australia. It was infinitely better than fruit picking.