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In Australia theres a beach for every season, reason and mood. Fortunately, cheap domestic flights let you beach hop to your hearts content and sample the best of what the country has to offer.

Surfers Paradise

The capital of Australias Gold Coast, the beach at Surfers Paradise typifies the pristine golden sands, prime surf and breeze-swept decks of Australias Gold Coast. With a backdrop luxury hotels, open-late pubs, clubs and shopping malls, Surfers Paradise also typifies the meld of natural beauty with fast-paced urban life that draws thousands of tourists to Australia each year.

Bondi

Lively and popular, this world-famous beach is Sydneys place to see and be seen. The waves are gentle enough for all ages and the sand, said to be the softest in the world, is perfect for sunbathing, beach volleyball, or strolling and people watching. A walk to Bronte Beach 5 km away takes you past Tamarama Beach and scenic coastal heights.

Hyams

Located in the protected curve of Jervis Bay 190 km south of Sydney, the lapping waves, turquoise waters, and almost luminous white sand give the feeling of being in a vast lagoon. Jervis Bay is home to a large pod of dolphins and a rest stop for migrating humpback whales, so your chances of sightings are good here.

Cottesloe

Cottesloe, on the often-overlooked western coast of the country, is one of Australias most relaxing beaches, and one of the most picturesque in the Perth area. Theres a natural coral reef for snorkeling and a man-made reef for surfing, while the century-old Indiana Tea House, now a bistro and bar, casts the glow of colonial charm over the whole beach.

Monkey Mia

Five-hundred miles north of Perth, Monkey Mia is located on a peninsula of dry scrub, salt lakes and desert sands. White shell beaches offer a stunning vista of limitless turquoise, as this World Heritage site has no towering hotels or iceberg-sized cruise ships to spoil the view. The abundance of pelicans, cormorants, wallabies, dolphins and loggerhead turtles make this a memorable stop.

Advance planning, and a host of cheap domestic flights can get you to the best of Australias beaches without spending a lot of time and money. Once you visited these five, you only have 6,995 left to go!

One of the top tennis venues in Australia is the Rod Laver Arena, formally known as Centre Court. It is part of the Melbourne Park complex in Melbourge, Australia. Since 1988, it has been the tennis Australian Open’s main venue. It got its current name in 2000 for Rod Laver, one of the world’s great tennis players who has won the Australian Open three times. The Arena seats 14,820 people and attracts more than 1.5 million visitors annually. The Arena sports a retractable roof, which allows competitors to play in a variety of weather conditions. In addition to tennis, the Arena hosts music concerts, super-crosses, conferences, WWE events, gymnastics, and ballets.

In addition to Rod Laver, Melbourne Park houses Hisense Arena, its second largest court, and three show courts, including the Margaret Court Arena. Margaret Court is another Australian tennis great who has won more Grand Slam titles than any other tennis player to date, male or female. Melbourne Park is right next to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Yarra Park. The two areas are linked by several pedestrian bridges. The park is accessible by the Richmond and Jolimont railway stations as well as the tram (route 70). It just a 10 minute walk from the center of the city.

For those looking for accommodation near Rod Laver Arena, there are a number of hotels within 2 km that range from $100 to $200 per night, including Medina Executive Flinders Street, Rydges Melbourne, Punthill Manhattan, and Quest Southbank – Melbourne. Those looking for additional accommodation near Rod Laver Arena should consult www.quickbeds.com.

For anyone looking for something beyond a standard hotel, there are a number of options slightly further out, including apartments and bed and breakfasts.

Additional notable tennis venues in Australia include Queensland Tennis Centre, NSW Tennis Centre, Burswood Entertainment Complex, and Memorial Drive Park. There is a new tennis venue in construction in Perth, Australia called Perth Arena. With impressive features, it will be a sought after venue for sporting events and concerts. It is scheduled to open mid-2012.