Welcome to South Australia, I’ll be your guide today because I, Claire Murphy, am a Southie. A what? I hear you ask! I am someone who grew up south of the city of Adelaide and in particular, on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

When I’m back home visiting, my favourite thing to do is rent a beach house in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast. Many are built to take advantage of water views and have little private tracks down to the beach. There's nothing like falling asleep to the sound of the waves or heading out for an evening dip to cool off. McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast have some of the finest South Australian restaurants, cafes, pubs, wineries, breweries, distilleries and outdoor activities. There is nothing quite like it.

Before we continue, let me advise that we pronounce this word with seemingly way too many vowels, Floo-re-oh. It's a fancy French name, one that belonged to Charles Pierre Claret de Fleurieu, he was an explorer admired by Nicolas Baudin who explored the south coast of South Australia back in 1802.

So, as a local, here's some insider info on the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast: where to go, what to eat, where to get the best wine, and how to pronounce all the things in your best posh South Australian accent.

If you want any more tips and tricks, head to the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast website to plan your trip.

Where to eat

This is tough because there are literally thousands of great places to get amazing local food into your belly. So let me tell you where to get the best pizza.

Pizzateca in McLaren Vale and it’s so freaking cool, they also seasonally open a beachside eatery at Aldinga over the Christmas and New Year school holidays (which is reason enough to visit twice). They label themselves Oztalian cuisine: Southern Italian traditions, South Australian conditions.

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If you happen to be in the neighbourhood when they put on a long lunch, buy a ticket immediately!

Now, if pizza isn't your craving, The Salopian Inn in McLaren Vale is known for its seasonal menu and kitchen garden. The service is fantastic, and you may even get to pick your own wine from the cellar – always a win.

For my sweet-toothed friends, Becks Bakehouse in Port Noarlunga is a must-visit. Hear me when I tell you to run, don’t walk, to get in that line and get one of these life changing treats.

Beaches to visit

My local beach is lovingly referred to as Porties (it’s actually called Port Noarlunga). It's where the jetty stretches out to a reef that runs parallel to the coastline giving it a natural buffer to the ocean and making it the perfect spot to take tiny humans for a dip.

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It’s a top place to snorkel with plenty of fish species darting in and around the reef. There’s also a really big anchor down on the seabed which no one seems to know the origin of. As a kid it was a rite of passage to hold your breath and dive down through the anchor and back up again.

The Mid Coast Surf Reserve in Port Noarlunga South is where you’ll find wild surf breaks and a dolphin or two. The beach is stunning and secluded, and features an esplanade, making it a favourite among locals.

If you like to take the car on the beach and set up for the full day then head a little further south.

Aldinga, Moana, Sellicks and Silversands are all incredibly long pristine stretches of sand that you can drive on, get out a paddle board, and walk just a few metres to the water's edge. The water is pristine turquoise and the long stretch of sand is great for a spot of beach cricket or a picnic.