Harris is the toast of the Port Piranhas Swimming Club after winning gold in the 100 metre and 200m freestyle, silver in the 800m freestyle and 200m individual medley and bronze in the 400m individual medley.

He was crowned state age champion for his exploits, and it was still sinking in this week.

"It's very good," Harris said. "Last year I didn't get any [medals], so to get six is a pretty big deal."

He had a packed program in Sydney. Harris also entered the 50m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly, but didn't come away with medals.

Harris made the national qualifying time in the 100m breaststroke, but the deadline to post the time had passed.

It was a big three days of swimming for Harris, but he prefers it to be that way.

"I swim better when I do lots of events," he said. "I'm a long-distance swimmer. Good recovery."

A nationals medal is Harris' short-term goal. The nationals are on from April 13-18.

He preferred not to think about long-term ambitions.

"But I guess any swimmer's dream is to make the Olympics."

The humble Harris deflected praise onto coaches Michael Mullens and Cheryl Neville.

He said they were the key to his success.

"He knows how to train us all individually," Harris said of Mullens. "And Cheryl is there every Wednesday for me to do my sets."

Harris trains every day bar Sunday. He's in the water from 5am-7am.

Neville said Harris was a hard worker in the water and had hit his straps in the past 12 months.

"He's got his strength and he's really firing," she said. "He's done the hard slog."