UPDATE 2-Olympics-Australia resorts to "dynamic" torch relay

(Recasts with details, background, additional quotes)

By Rob Taylor

CANBERRA, April 23 (Reuters) - Australian police promised on Wednesday a "dynamic" torch relay to dodge protesters when the Olympic flame travels the Australian leg of its troubled journey around the world.

China had hoped the torch's progress would be a symbol of unity in the run-up to the Beijing Games, but at several previous relays the flame has drawn anti-China protests over human rights and Beijing's crackdown in Tibet, as well as pro-China demonstrations.

The Australian relay is on Thursday, but Pro-Tibet demonstrators have already beamed laser signs onto the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge reading "Don't Torch Tibet", and a group of Tibetans on hunger strike was on a 70 km (43 mile) march to Canberra to rally against the torch relay.

The flame landed at an air force base in the capital under the kind of protection usually afforded visiting world leaders.

Thousands of pro-Tibet supporters have promised peaceful rallies during Thursday's torch relay, while thousands of Chinese students were expected to rally in support of China.

The Olympic torch's appearance worldwide has been marked by heavy security and sharply curtailed celebrations. Tibet supporters disrupted the relay in London, Paris and San Francisco, prompting officials to boost security and shorten the torch relay in India, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Australian organisers have dropped plans to run the torch past the Chinese embassy, near Australia's national parliament, fearing the embassy could become a flashpoint for protests.