Hi there, I could really do with some help please.
I have just moved to Australia to undertake a PhD and brought my husband and two young children with me. I only started my project six weeks ago and absolutely hate the topic. I didn't expect to feel like this at all! I've worked so hard, literally for years, to get out here and study the subject that I'm currently working with, so this is very unexpected. I have however spoken with another university who have offered me, well potentially offered me, another project. This project really excites me but I'm not sure that I have had enough time to really know what being a PhD student is all about, nor my project. I think I may have burned my bridges with my supervisors now as surely they must think I'm just a non-starter. I'm worried if I don't do what I set out to do that I've dragged my whole family over here for nothing. Bbt I'm really unhappy with how things are just now. I see a lot of people have put posts on that they feel self doubt at about six months but not six weeks! Does anyone out there have any experience of changing universities and projects like this or having this amount of self doubt so early on?
Thanks.

Well I didn't change universities but considered it after 2 months. I did, however, end up changing projects entirely from what I stated in my application proposal.
1) It's normal to have self doubt. The first thing you need to do is be honest with yourself and identify what it is about the PhD that you don't like: the subject, the university setting, the faculty???
2) If it's the project, try to propose elements of the project at the other university to your supervisor (I'm assuming they're in the same field) and see what he/she thinks.
3) I would say it is too early to "pull the plug" on where you are now- as you said you moved your entire family so it wouldn't be very wise to recklessly just quit. In my case, I really hated the topic I thought I liked and so proposed an alternative one to my supervisor and he was open to the possibility and accepted it.
4) No one really knows what being a PhD student is all about before the course- it is just difficult to predict. This shouldn't scare you into quitting- as long as you re-establish a good relationship with your supervisor (impress him by doing research on this topic from the other university that you like and discuss it with him honestly) you should be fine. Most people who don't do well in their PhD have bad relationships with their supervisors cause they are not honest. Based on what you said, I don't think you burnt any bridges yet.
5) Relax!! I actually hated my topic so much I asked my supervisor to give me a reference for another university, which he refused to give me as he only knew me for 2 months!!!! I ended up having an excellent relationship with him, and do to this present day! I just changed the topic, was honest about it, and he loved the passion I showed for the topic. Now I'm a Dr!

In Australia, it is very common to change universities. My supervisor did his PhD in 2009 and he has changed two universities due to supervisory problems and funding. Its good that you have already found another project that interests you. If you want to change it is advisable to do so in the beginning itself.

I am also doing PhD in Australia and have come along with my hubby. I began last year and for the first 3 months I hated my topic, but as I read more I started to enjoy it. The first few months was tough and sad but now its a lot better. After showing some progress I started getting good support from my supervisors.

On the personal front, once my hubby found a job, we have been living a normal life. Until then the atmosphere at home was usually negative due to my PhD problems.

So if you want to take up this new project, go ahead..but be sure you enjoy it. PhD life is tough, so its best to be positive about it and enjoy the experience.