The Western Australia capital of Perth offers so much to the holiday maker. There are historical monuments, great shopping and dining and nightlife all in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. But to get the most out of your Perth Holiday, you need to get out of the city and pay a visit to some of the enchanting nearby attractions. Here's the skivvy on three of those delights: Sunset Coast, Swan Valley and Rottnest Island

One of the joys of visiting Perth is the proximity of some fine beaches to the city centre. The most luminous beach area is known as the Sunset Coast, a long strip of clean sand.

The whole area is perfect for swimming, walking and cycling, as well as al fresco dining or just relaxing in beach front cafes. As the name suggests, a special time of day to enjoy this area is sunset, when you can view the sun dipping down into the Indian Ocean in a blaze of orange. It makes for the perfect romantic moment.

Among the beaches of choice for safe swimming are Cottesloe Beach, Swanbourne Beach, which is a nudist beach, and City Beach, North Beach, and Sorrento Beach, which are popular family beaches.

Another great Perth side trip is to Swan Valley, especially for wine buffs. Just 20 minutes from downtown Perth, Swan Valley is one of Western Australia's oldest wine producing regions and home to over 40 vineyards. Many have been in the same families for generations since the founders arrived from Europe.

Wine buffs will be particularly intrigued by the singular, fortified wines produced here. These include Muscats, Ports and some liqueur wines offered direct from the cellar door.

If beer is your tipple, you can visit the several boutique and micro breweries in the region. More than 20 locally brewed beers are on offer including ales and stout. Other than the many imbibing options, Swan Valley also offers a number of great restaurants.

Nature lovers will enjoy a visit to Swan Valley's Whiteman Park, a conservation area covering more than 4000 hectares of protected bushland and wetland. Flora in the the park includes Banksias, Melaleucas, Wattles and Grass Trees.

Another treat for nature lovers is the small island of Rottnest, accessible via a short ferry trip from Perth City, Fremantle or Hillarys. It's home to the small marsupials known as Quokka.

Known locally as "Rotto", Rottnest Island has a chequered history having been used as a prison colony, farm, governor's residence and military training zone over the years. No cars are allowed on the island but it can get busy with locals especially during school holidays.

Other than relaxing and enjoying nature, Rottnest Island is also a great place for activities such as cycling, swimming, sunbathing, and especially, snorkelling and scuba diving. The waters are clean and the seabed is home to coral reefs and shipwrecks.

Making Perth your base to explore Western Australia is a smart move. For one thing it has great transport options and is packed with things to do and places to go. You've also got a grand choice of Perth city hotels including the The New Esplanade Hotel and the Parmelia Hilton Perth.

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Perth City hotels as The New Esplanade Hotel and Parmelia Hilton Perth http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Perth/City/Parmelia-Hilton-Perth/.