Can anyone be so kind as to suggest a nice beach(in or near Sydney)that is not too crowded in mid-Feb. and a place to stay there that has private rooms with bathrooms? Any advice will be greatly appreciated as I have never been to Australia. Thanks.

Ok, so I've never gotten a chance to post on this Australian message board, but at least I can (hopefully) give a reasonable response, though certainly there are those out there WAY more informed than myself when it comes to OZ. I was in Aust. for a month and spent nearly the entire time at Coogie Beach, which is outside of Sydney.. very nice beach.. Gordon's Bay, a lovely spot to walk though, along the coast with lots of foliage. The company I worked for put me up at the Holiday Inn at Coogie Beach and since I didn't foot the bill I can't speak to prices.. It was a typical hotel with a pretty jumpin' bar and the town of Coogie was very nice and easy to navigate on foot. Hope this helps.

Try www.sydney.visitorsbureau.com.au. <BR>Ask when school holidays are. <BR>If schools are not on holiday in February none of the prime beaches is crowded midweek. <BR>Bondi is the most popular with tourists and is close enough to the city proper. <BR>Bronte, Coogee and Manly are the next picks. Access to all is very easy via an excellent public transport system. <BR>I am a Sydney resident. <BR>Place to stay? Depends on the money!

I live in Manly and can recommend it over Coogee which is in a much busier part of Sydney (unless that's what you want) It's casual, combines harbour and ocean beaches, lots of outdoor eating and drinking and yet 15 minutes away from Sydney city by jetcat or 30 mins by beautiful ferryride. There is a lovely walk (12Kms) from Manly which follows the harbour foreshores through both built and natural environments including national parks and secluded beaches. If you stay over the other side there is a lovely coastal cliffwalk from Bondi, through Coogee and further...on both walks you can forget you are in a city at all. <BR> <BR>Hi to Winston....nice to see other Aussies using this site...doesn't seem to be many of us. <BR> <BR>

Forgot to advise, school hoildays are over in Feb...I'm a teacher.

The school holidays are over in Feb. For a blissful escape from the Sydney rat race hire a car and check out Hyams Beach (Jervis Bay) approx 2.5hrs drive south of Sydney.