I've been into a few quieter airfields recently with CTAF, and planning to do a lot more. I originally come from the UK where most fields have a radio operator to provide 'information', so i'm finding it a little different here to approach airfields with multiple runways and figure out how best to slot in.
I've read the CAAP and VFR Guide, but really would like some practical advice from people with more experience, and especially from anyone who operates in some of the more rural Australian airfields to advise what they like and don't like.
To figure things out, my general method at the moment is to join overhead at 2000ft AGL, try to find the windsock and figure out whats going on the ground, and then descend onto left downwind (or as per ERSA) and perhaps do a low approach initially to figure out whats going on at the field, go around and then plan to land on the second approach.
I visited a field recently where operations were taking place on two different runways at the same time (cross runways), and found this a little unusual. Also reading the CAAP suggests that IFR aircraft could be entering the situation at 4000ft overhead which makes it a little different again.
I'm also tempted when approach to just ask anyone on the CTAF frequency what runway is being used, bollox to standard phraseology, just figure out whats going on. I'm not so concerned about a single quiet runway operation, but when things are a little busy, it would be good to know some best practice for the more experienced guys.