Hey, I'm from the country and have a penchant for cattle and 4G sticks.
Your options are:
External antenna: if your modem has an antenna jack, you can purchase a 9dBi antenna shtick off eBay and position it in a location that gets reception. They are about a 1 metre long and can be placed outside (has around 10 metres of cord). You will also need to buy the short patch lead (eBay "telstra antenna patch") as all the antennas have the wrong connector, and for whatever reason Telstra modems are unique. The antennas are vary from $20 to $300 and the patch lead is around $7. Make sure it specifies it works on the 850Mhz band (Telstra 3G).
Wireless hotspot: Works well with option 1. Purchase a Wifi hotspot. It can be positioned in a better location than your laptop would be (and it's USB), battery powered so it can be placed somewhere strange, and because 3G USB sticks fucken suck arse. Telstra has finally released a hotspot that has an Ethernet jack now.
Telstra "Smart Antenna": Probably can't get them anymore because the ACMA cracked the shits. Wasn't an antenna but actually a mini cell tower. Shops will not know what you're talking about, and it's difficult finding someone who knows what they are, but when you get one, you have instantly better reception. Comes as two units, one where receptions good, one where you want reception to be. Around 30 metres range.
Satellite: NBN Satellite isn't actually half bad. Around 30Mbps/15Mbps and 400ms ping. Usable. Feels like average day on Optus 3G despite data travelling 140,00 kilometres round trip just to ping your ISP. Free installation, better download limits than mobile networks.
"These options suck"
Yes. Yes they do.
"Isn't there any other option?"
No. Welcome to everywhere outside of Greater Melbourne.