I am a 19 year old college student who will be spending 6 weeks at an academic program in Canberra from the beginning of January-February 14. The program will end in Sydney and I would like to have a great time in Sydney and hopefully spend some time at the great beaches that Australia has to offer. If possible I would like to do these things in two weeks.
If anyone can suggest how to spend my extra two weeks in Australia and do it economically that would be great.
thank you

Hello Aric,
Your Australia experience is likely to be beautifully topped off by your tripping around in Sydney. If you scroll down on this board to the next one mentioning Australia you will find a great thread (running for 2 pages presently) which covers many activities to be enjoyed in and around Sydney.

Have a look there for the sites and enjoy your swimming at Bondi Beach......have fun.
Carole

Hi Alex,
Welcome to ST.
You will be in Sydney in the middle of summer (more like Hawaii than Oregon) and the beaches will be great for cooling down.

Manly is a great tourist beach and you should get there by ferry from Circular Quay.

Bondi is also great for socialising (I'm not in the partying set, but this is its reputation).
The Sydney Harbour Bridge climb is a great experience if you have a spare $AU150.
Lots of visitors go to Darling Harbour with its shows and restaurants. They love it. I hate it. It is so obviously touristy and the restaurants are expensive with only average meals.
Australia has great food - Italian, Thai, Chinese, Greek, Vietnamese, French, etc. Buy a copy of "Cheap Eats in Sydney". We have great seafood so make sure you try some.

The Sydney Mardi Gras parade is on Saturday March 5. It's a great show, and you can be straight and still enjoy it.

It would be a good idea to cultivate some friends on your course. People who know you better can give more appropriate advise. If there are Sydneysiders, you might even get put up for your visit.

This is the Australia Suggestions link that Carole refered to.

Thank you all for your great suggestions. As of right now I plan on returning on March 1, is it worth my time to wait an extra week for the Mardi Gras parade? What is it like, and if you guys know any web-sites that talk about it that would be great.
thanks - alex

Aric, I went to Australia last November and loved EVERY minute of it - the people are friendly, the beer is cold and the weather is great!

I visited during the start of the Summer and then it was in the 90's. In March it starts getting colder - towards Winter in Australia, so it's likely to be colder and rainy in Sydney during this time - that's something to think about!

I'd recommend walking over the Harbour Bridge, the views are spectacular and it's an unbelievable experience! You have to also go to the Blue Mountains, go by jeep, and then cable car over the mountains, see the blue haze over the mountains and euclaptus (spelling?) tree's.

Whilst I was there I visited Cairns, Port Douglas, and Hobart in Tasmania! Snorkling in the great barrier reef was a life changing moment.. was undescribeable!

You'll love it whenever you go, or whereever you go!

Related links:

www.australia.com
www.about-australia.com
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/australia
www.atn.com.au
www.tourism.sa.gov.au
www.ozvisits.com.au

Hope this helps!