Proximity

Hi there, I'm very new to this hobby, but over the last couple of weeks, I have become virtually obsessed with the idea of setting up a marine tank. Until now it's never really been a possibility, but now that I've bought a house and wont be moving around all the time, I can look at setting something large up. Ive spent the last week really researching this in depth, and before starting, am likely to spend the next month or so researching and preparing as well. My ultimate goal would be to have a full on reef tank. Everything I've seen, is just so amazingly beautiful, and has the kinds of things involved that I'm looking for in a hobby. It's challenging, mentally engaging, requires a lot of time and effort and isnt at all something that you just set up and walk away. The amount of work and effort required to do it wouldnt be an issue. Am I right in thinking that it would be too extreme to just leap straight into that though? As much as I would like to, I'm thinking I should probably be a bit more realistic and just start with a FOWLR tank? I know noone who's even interested in aquariums, so theres really noone outside of you people that I can ask for advice. Also, I have no idea where to look into for buying a tank and equipment locally. I'm in Wellington, and I would have no clue where the local fish stores are.. is anyone able to provide any info? It would be much appreciated. Finally, am I being realistic in my expectations? I'm hoping to start with a tank somewhere in the vicinity of 250L, give or take a bit, and expect to spend between 2 and 3k for the total setup? Any help or advice you could provide would be very much appreciated. Thanks, - Charlie