I spent almost a week in Sydney and yet it seems all my pictures are only of that Opera House. Everyday I found myself staring at it from one angle or another, and one night I even saw it from the inside when I attended the ballet there. My insider Opera House tip - check out the bathrooms, they have the coolest sinks (I can only voucher for the women's of course). Go inside on the main level where the ticket sales are and right around the corner you'll find them. I stayed at the Sydney Central YHA near the train station. It was an easy journey by train in from the airport and this hostel is surely one of the world's largest. It's got all anyone could need and is a great, friendly spot to start your Australian experience. I took in a number of the regular Sydney sights but two of my favourites were the Sydney Aquarium, which is a good substitute if like myself you can't make it up to the reef this trip, and the Taronga Zoo, which is accessed by a ferry across the harbour and has some of the best views of Sydney. Somehow the Opera House ended up in my giraffe picture - I don't know how it does it but it manages to be everywhere! I took another ferry out to Manley one day for an Aussie beach experience. It's a fun and funky little community and I much preferred it to the scene at Bondi, but to each their own. They both offer a great insight into life in Australia and a good spot to work on a tan. Make sure you pick up an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) at STA Travel before your trip, there are tons of discounts available all across Australia. Rosey Hudson Marketing Coordinator, STA Travel Canada