Traveller Destination Cruise 2025 Review

It was just over 12 months ago that we reviewed the first JB Group entry-level Traveller caravan, and now there's a shiny new 'MK 2' range to check out...

Like the original timber-framed 'vans, the latest Traveller Destination touring and semi-off-road models are relatively lightweight and come well-equipped for the price, and are available in a variety of sizes and with different ensuite layouts.

However, the latest Traveller range is arguably even better value for money, with a full composite build with improved insulation properties, and some new features like a lithium battery system and a large outside entertainment hatch.

Priced from under $60,000, they're firmly aimed at younger couples, first-timers, and upgraders, or really anyone shopping in the more affordable and growing 'newbie' composite caravan segment.

The review van is a 17ft single axle Destination Cruise tourer priced from $67,990; or the third cheapest model in the MY25 Traveller Destination range.

All up, there are eight different variants to choose from, including both single and tandem axle configurations, 13ft to 20ft body lengths, blacktop and dirt road suspensions, and various twin berth ensuite layouts. For the full rundown check out our News story here.

Designed primarily for caravan parks and bitumen touring, all entry-level Destination Cruise variants come standard with a 50mm ball coupling, leaf spring suspension, 16in alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, twin 9kg gas bottles, a 125Ah lithium battery, 200W rooftop solar panel, and a single 110 litre fresh water tank.

For an additional $7000-$9000 depending on the body size, buyers can opt for the more off-road oriented Track pack, which includes AL-KO Enduro X independent coil suspension, a Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, A-frame utility box, twin 125Ah lithium batteries with 400W rooftop solar, and an additional 110L grey water tank.

Other options available include an NCE 3kg wall-mount washing machine and an external hot/cold shower, while Destination Cruise buyers can also pay extra for an additional 110L freshwater tank and 200W solar panel. It's also worth mentioning that for a limited time all Destination Cruise vans come with a bonus second 125Ah lithium battery valued at $900.

The new Traveller Destination vans are built at the JB Group-owned New Age Caravans factory in Epping, Victoria, and feature a similar timber-free body construction to both JB's Gator range  and New Age's latest touring vans.

This includes fibreglass sandwich panels (25mm thick for the walls and 35mm for the roof) supplied by Queensland's Link Composites, a honeycomb composite floor, and an AL-KO painted chassis made from BlueScope steel.

Like other JB Group caravans, the Traveller Destination range is backed by a five-year structural warranty and three-year manufacturer's warranty. Traveller vans are currently available at eight dealerships around Australia.

Like most entry-level vans the light grey exterior and lack of off-road protection gives the Traveller Cruise a sleek minimalist look. But if you're worried the external graphics look a little underwhelming, Traveller is working on some slightly bolder decals after feedback from dealers.

Without doubt the highlight externally of the 17ft Destination Cruise is what Traveller calls the Lifestyle Entertainment Hatch; a large recess in the onside wall with a lift-up cover that serves as a point of difference from some of its rivals.

Similar to the recessed kitchen on Jayco's JPod XL camper, it packs in plenty of features including a mount for the standard 24in Smart TV, two external speakers for the internal audio unit, four powerpoints, LED lighting, a wireless phone charger and some small storage pouches and shelving. There's also a large fold-down picnic table on which you can set up the Dometic portable twin-hob gas cooker/grille that's also included.

What's more, the strut-assisted insulated lid also doubles as outside cover, for quick roadside stops in the rain or harsh midday sun when you couldn't be bothered rolling out the large onside awning.

Other exterior features include a two-arm bar, spare tyre and reverse camera at the rear, a mains water connecter, external lights on both sides, twin 9kg gas bottles and a gas bayonet, a protected A-frame water tap and an external socket for a portable solar panel.

There's also an offside annexe rail on the review van but that's not usually included.

One noticeable omission is an AL-KO ESC unit (or a BMPRO SwayControl as fitted to New Age vans), so you'll need to budget more for that if you desire the added peace of mind of an anti-sway trailer system.

External storage for larger items is limited to an ABS-lined and LED-lit front tunnel boot, with an A-frame toolbox not included on the entry-level Cruise.

In standard trim, the 17ft Traveller Destination offers minimal off-roadability with its all-terrrain rubber, gal protected water tanks and 3M Di-Noc black vinyl protecting more vulnerable external sections. Ground clearance is also compromised by quite a lot of exposed plumbing underneath and the low-hanging chassis-mounted boxes for the battery and water pump.

However, without all the off-road accessories to weigh it down, it certainly ticks the box for relatively stress-free towing with its sub-2500kg fully loaded weight.

The 17ft Destination Cruise gets a pretty conventional couple's ensuite layout, which includes a north-south queen bed up front, a central kitchen and dinette seating area, and a full width bathroom with vanity, toilet and separate shower cubicle.

A downside of the large external entertainment recess is that it eats into some of the internal living space. As a result, there's an extended bench seat instead of the usual L-shape or cafe dinette style configuration, with room for up to four people on the cloth upholstered foam base with low-set backrests and a fixed rectangular table for eating.

There's also some built-in magazine pouches, a long shelf and quite a small window above, limiting the amount of natural light entering on this side of the van, although the big roof hatch above the bed makes up for that somewhat.

On a more positive note, you could possibly remove some of the seat cushions and turn the dinette into a day bed or another sleeper. The set-up also allows for enough floorspace to move around between the dinette and kitchen, with an extra-cost option of fitting a fully adjustable tabletop if you wanted more versatility.

It's no surprise given it's built in the same factory that the fit-out is a dead-ringer for one of the latest New Age caravans, right down to the soft-close cabinetry, handle-free doors and hidden strip lighting.

One of four interior colour packs available, the review van's earthy decor theme should be a popular choice with its moss green cabinet fascias, stone-look benchtops and light grey subway tile splashbacks, plus the mix of silver and matte black tapware.

Instead of bedside nooks there's a ledge beyond the bedhead with sockets nearby for charging up devices overnight, along with the usual innerspring mattress, bedside robes and drawers, reading lights and overhead cupboards.

The Projecta electricals including the Intelli-RV power manager and trailer breakaway unit are neatly located in the big storage cavity under the bed; not far from the Projecta seven-inch colour touchscreen mounted high up near the entry door.

The kitchen comes well equipped with a matte black stainless sink and drainer and mixer and filter water taps, a gas/electric four hob cooktop and grille, a rangehood, microwave and a 200L compressor fridge.

There's a good amount of overhead and under-bench cabinetry and drawers and some benchspace for food prep, along with some small wall-mounted holders for condiments.

The rear ensuite delivers another pleasant surprise, and includes a solid sliding door with latch, a large vanity with bowl sink and mixer tap, and a ceramic cassette toilet close to an opening window. The 950mm wide shower cubicle gets a 12V fan hatch and solid smokey door.

There's heaps of benchtop and closed storage space for all your toiletries, although you'll lose some of the mirrored overhead cabinetry if you opt for the wall-mounted washer.

Also included inside is another adjustable TV arm and connections on a panel facing the bed, a continuous hot water unit located in one of the kitchen cupboards, and a rooftop air-conditioner that should provide more than enough grunt for a van of this size.

We also liked the 2.0m-plus interior height that adds to the airy uncramped feel, and the amount of interior storage space overall, although you'll be limited by how much you can carry with the 500kg payload limit.

The 17ft Traveller Destination Cruise is a good example of how far the humble entry-level caravan has come in recent years. Its fresh modern construction certainly makes it a genuine alternative to other smart budget composite models from the likes of Jayco, Snowy River, Windsor, Crusader and On The Move.

Already proving to be a popular option with buyers, the 17ft Destination delivers an appealing mix of internal and external features for a van of its size and price, with the option to upgrade to the Track pack if you want to spend more time off the bitumen and away from caravan parks.

Price: $67,990 RRP
Travel length: 6950mm
Body length: 5100mm
Body width: 2500mm
Travel height: 3100mm
Interior height: 2030mm
Tare weight: 1984kg
ATM: 2484kg
Ball weight (at Tare): 144kg
Construction: Fibreglass sandwich panel walls and roof, honeycomb composite floor, AL-KO 6in steel painted chassis with ball coupling
Suspension: AL-KO heavy-duty leaf spring
Brakes: 12in electric drum
Stability control: AL-KO ESC optional
Wheels: 16in alloy with Tracmax X-Privilo Travia A/T 245/75R16 tyres
Water: 1 x 110L fresh
Battery: 1 x 125Ah lithium
Solar: 1 x 200W rooftop panel
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Air-conditioner: Gree 3.5kW roof-top
Fridge/freezer: Dometic 200L compressor
Microwave: NCE flatbed
Cooktop: Dometic Mobicool three gas/one electric and grille
Hot water: Fogatti instant gas
Washing machine: NCE 3kg wall-mounted optional
Toilet: Dometic electric cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12V LED
TV: NCE 24in Smart
Audio: NCE multimedia player with internal/external speakers
Supplied by: Traveller Caravans, Epping, Victoria