Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay hopes to add a touch of glamour to the traditional Aussie camping trip, announcing a new $166,000 campaign to encourage people to ditch the hotels and opt for a tent or caravan at one of the many camp sites across NSW.

“Camping and caravanning is an Aussie holiday tradition and NSW has such a great range of locations, from beachside to inland holiday parks, all very accessible and with modern facilities,” she said.

For the non-seasoned adventurer, the word camping instantly conjures up thoughts of mosquito bites, leaky tents and sausages with crispy outsides and gooey centres.

So it was with trepidation that I went on a four-night camping trip to Port Macquarie with my boyfriend and four of our closest friends.

I am the first to admit I’m not a camping person – never have been and never thought I would be.