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So I'm starting to freak out. I've got my letter of introduction to Canada, have also applied for the visa waiver program and payed the $14 and had my passport authorised through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization(ETSA), yet I'm still freaking out that I might not be let into the US.
Here's my scenario. I fly out of Sydney to LA on the 30th of August. I plan to be in LA for 5 days, then head to Vegas to do a contiki tour, which will last a further 8 days. At the completion of the tour (which ends in LA) I will fly to Vancouver and enter Canada using my letter of introduction. This will happen around the 15th-17th of September. At the US border I assume I have to provide proof that I will be leaving the US after my short visit, which will be fine as I will have a flight itinerary to depart to Vancouver.

I'm super stressed about this, as I was under the impression that I could enter the US under the visa waiver program as I am an Australian, and my stay is well under the 90 day period allowed under the program. I've just been informed that under the visa waiver program, any time spent in Canada counts towards the maximum of 90 days. It also says, that if you are transiting the US on a 6 month trip to Canada (which I will be doing) you cannot travel on the visa waiver program, as my total stay in the US/Canada etc exceeds the 90 days. It's suggested that I apply for the B-1/B-2 "visitor" visa.

Is this correct for me, even though I wouldn't have actually spent any time in Canada, prior to entering the US? I'm worried that I've left it too late to apply for the visitor visa if required, as it's only 4 weeks until I depart. What should I do? I'd hate to fly all the way to LA on a non refundable ticket and be denied entry and have to turn around and come straight back to Australia. Please help!!