What it’s like to hire a 6-berth Jayco Journey from Let’s Go Motorhomes

With Let’s Go Motorhomes, the journey is just as much fun as the destination, discovers Aleney de Winter.

There’s something missing,” announces my 10-year-old daughter, Marlo, flush-faced after testing out the holiday park jumping pillow. We couldn’t imagine what. In her absence, we’d parked and plugged in our Let’s Go Motorhomes’ Jayco Journey for the night, and had been lounging under the massive retractable awning at the outdoor table and chairs with bevvies in hand, enjoying the sunset.

Disappearing into the motorhome, my daughter returns with a daypack. “It needs these,” she declares, pulling out a string of fairy lights that appear to have been liberated from our Christmas decorations.

Kitted out as it is with gorgeous leather upholstery, sleek interior styling and a clever layout that is big on features and spaces, the luxurious six-berth behemoth doesn’t really need improving, but I admit the freshly strung lights add a magical touch.

Getting started

I must confess to feeling a little trepidatious when we meet the Jayco Journey. This is our first big motorhome experience with me at the helm, and the very thought of manoeuvring the 7.99-metre long, 2.39-metre wide and 3.3-metre tall motorhome through the city has my knees knocking. But the tip-top shape of our vehicle, the promise of 24-hour roadside assistance, a thorough briefing by the awesome Let’s Go Motorhomes staff and the convenience of the Let’s Go Australia app – packed as it is with vehicle help videos, route maps and info on everything from campgrounds to the closest public loo – quickly dispelled my nerves.

Turns out that my worrying was for nothing, because despite its size, a Jayco Journey is as easy to drive as a regular car. Sure, it takes up a little more space on the road, and I took things slow and steady, but automatic transmission, power steering, and a rearview and reversing camera made the adjustment from city-size hatchback to mega-motorhome surprisingly easy.

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Jayco Journey features

The air-conditioned, six-berth motorhome is packed with features. The cabin is comfortable, and in the back there’s belted seating for four around a table where my daughter and her brother, Raff, happily alternate between playing card games and watching movies on their devices while we’re on the road.

The motorhome also boasts two permanent double beds, one at the back and another raised over the driver’s seat to maximise space, while the dinette easily converts into another double bed. There’s even a flatscreen television. The kitchen has a generously proportioned refrigerator and freezer, a four-burner stove and grill, microwave oven, toaster, kettle and sink. The cupboards are kitted out with crockery and glasses for six, as well as all the must-have cooking utensils and cutlery. There’s even a coffee plunger and teapot for those who like their preferred brew properly prepared to start their day.

What’s included

When it comes to convenience, Let’s Go Motorhomes has thought of everything. They supply all bed linen, including sheets, pillows and doonas, plus tea towels, bath towels and mats. Speaking of baths, there’s an internal bathroom with a shower and a toilet, so there’s no need for middle-of-the-night amenities block runs. And when it comes to storage, I am blown away by just how much there is, inside and out. We can’t fill it all, no matter how hard we try. And with two kids and all their ‘essential’ stuff, a mighty effort was made.

The verdict?

The ability to explore at our own pace with the freedom to move on wherever and whenever we want, without the hassle of putting up tents, unpacking or having to look for a camp kitchen or amenities block, converted this crew of campervan novices into raving fans.

The writer travelled as a guest and created this article in partnership with Lets Go Motorhomes. letsgomotorhomes.com.au

All images © Aleney de Winter

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