Steven Marshall’s favourite SA holiday spot

Premier Steven Marshall says its tough picking his favourite SA holiday area – but one spot he’s been to since he was a kid stands out.

Now more than ever, how lucky are we to have world-class summer holiday destinations in our own backyard.

We are living in Australia’s best state and officially the most liveable place in the nation.

From South Australia’s pristine beaches to our rugged ranges and everything in between, it’s tough picking just one favourite.

For my family, Christmas holidays were spent on the Yorke Peninsula, about a two-hour drive from Adelaide.

It’s a special place and I’ll always remember visiting as teenagers with my mum Barbara and dad Tony, and then with our own children.

We’d always leave home on Boxing Day and, like a scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, our Griswold-style cars were packed to the rafters with everything we’d need for our week-long stay.

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It was a race who could get there first because they’d get pole position.

There were 14 of us in total, so it was a very full house but this was all part of the fun. My kids Charlie and Georgie and their cousins would sleep in bunk beds or mattresses on the floor so we could all fit.

The beaches at Yorkes are like something out of a tourism brochure. Think crystal-clear water and stretches of sand as far as the eye can see, just perfect for a game of beach cricket.

It’s relatively remote so there is no excuse not to switch off.

When we weren’t in the ocean, there was lots of down time. We’d pass the days with naps and big walks.

My dad was a keen fisherman his entire life and he passed on his love to all of his kids and his seven grandchildren.

The grandkids would go out fishing on the boat with my dad and they’d catch whiting, garfish or tommy ruff and we’d usually eat what we caught for dinner as there was plenty to go around.

Premier Steven Marshall, aged about 10, on the way to the Yorke Peninsula with his dad, Tony.

Dad would also take us down to the spit where he taught us how to crab – you could hear the happy squeals from a mile away.

He’d then sit out the front of house, where he taught us the great life skill of how to cook, clean and pick a crab.

One year we got him a “Best Black Point Crabber” hat he wore with pride.

My dad would usually eat them with vinegar but I’d often make my famous cocktail sauce for dipping.

Black Point, on the Yorke Peninsula, looking out towards Black Point from the cliffs.

The town of Ardrossan is close by and the bakery does some of the best pasties in the nation.

No trip to nearby Port Vincent is complete without a visit to the famous Ventnor Hotel. Located on the waterfront, the pub does the freshest fish and chips and the locals welcome you with open arms.

Like the Yorke Peninsula holds many wonderful memories for my family, our diverse and spectacular regions are no doubt nostalgic summer holiday spots for you and your loved ones too.