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Our people

Meet

Our Team

Terry Smit
Founder & Managing Director
Hi, as the founder of Go West Tours, I’m delighted that you’re looking at this page & learning more about our amazing team. I started in travel as a European tour manager in 1997, but my passion for sharing interesting information & good times dates back much further. In past lives I have worked as a spa installer, gas consumption analyst, and mail sorter, so I’m truly grateful that I managed to find & settle in the travel industry. When not working to continuously improve and grow Go West Tours, you might find me on (or nearby) a cricket field, or perhaps enjoying a full-bodied red wine with some friends.
Jess
Reservations Manager
I grew up in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne and spent a lot of my childhood visiting the Great Ocean Road on family holidays. I love experiencing new cities and countries, eating out, spending time at the beach, and playing music. I started out as an intern at Go West in 2015 during my second year of university while studying Tourism, Hospitality, and Financial Planning. My role has changed quite a bit since then and I now manage the reservations department with help from our fantastic Go West family.
Daniel
Operations Manager
I grew up in a small country town in NSW. My parents were big travellers and they are definitely the reason that I caught the travel bug at such an early age and it has been a big part of my life ever since. I started with Go West in 2013 as a tour guide and have progressed over time to my current role as operations manager. The things I love about my job are working with the most awesome team of people at Go West, and meeting amazing people from around the world and showing them just how spectacular Australia is.
Dave
Tour Guide & Operations Supervisor
I grew up in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, right near the iconic Puffing Billy Railway. I started as a casual guide at Go West all the way back in 2010! I am now full time and divide my role between operations and guiding work. I have always loved the freedom that this job provides, being out in an amazing office and enjoying the great outdoors, as well as meeting amazing and interesting people from around the globe and sharing stories with them. I have always been interested in sports and the outdoors, I play some social sport (netball–gladiatorial I know) each week, and try and get out and explore on walks and hikes around Melbourne when I can.
Ruth
Reservations Supervisor
I grew up in North Queensland then, at 20 years old, I left for my gap year to work in the ski fields of Canada. Five years and three countries later, I ended up settling in Melbourne and now I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I love the foodie culture – especially the coffee! Since joining the reservations team in August 2018, I have enjoyed talking to people from all around the world and helping them to discover the fantastic natural attractions of Victoria. When I’m not at work, I can be found either wandering around one of Melbourne’s second-hand shops or basking in the sunshine somewhere, ideally with a beer in hand.
Rachael
Tour Guide & Operations Supervisor
My name is Rachael, I grew up in Melbourne and have travelled all over Australia. I will always come back to Melbourne, this is my home! I’ve been a tour guide with Go West Tours since 2017 and I really enjoy this job, I love getting to meet new people each day and showing them around the amazing sights Victoria has to offer. I have a border collie dog called Heidi, my days of are spent with her adventuring across Victoria, exploring beachs and hiking trails.
Raquel
Tour Guide & Operations Supervisor
It was my dream when I was growing up to become a “jungle-ologist” which eventually led me to a degree in Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Science. But it was not to be, as I got sucked up into the world of hospitality and ended up working as a restaurant manager for many years. When nature came calling again, I rushed for the outdoors, to the front door of Go West, into the arms of tour guiding and am loving every second of it. Every trip I have an amazing time heading to the places that I have always greatly enjoyed visiting and sharing tales about the landscapes we pass through and the animals we encounter along the way. I hope to see you out there!
Sherif
Tour Guide
Sherif is near – Have no fear. Coming from Egypt with experience in tourism of more than 10 years working as Scuba Diving instructor and 10 more as professional musician travelling and performing all over the world. Sherif brings amazing energy to his tours, shares lots of stories about all the sites you’ll visit and will even throw a cheeky performance on his Didgeridoo during the day. Expect a memorable day full of fun and entertainment.
Cloe
Tour Guide
I grew up on the Fleurieu Peninsula in SA before my parents moved us across the country to Townsville in Far North QLD. I’ve moved and travelled all over the country since then and have decided to call Melbourne home. I love working for Go West because I get the opportunity to travel the beautiful state of Victoria while I save up to fund my own travel bug. I also enjoy talking to guests from all over the world to get ideas of where I should plan my next adventure. I’ve also either guided or lived in VIC, SA, TAS, QLD, NT + WA so I’m more than happy to share my travel tips with you on your Aussie adventure!
Chris R
Tour Guide
Born: Melbourne, Died: Yet to be determined. I like long walks along the beach, because I can only surf right-hand waves and hate paddling back out, heading to the mountains, riding my bikes, skiing in Japan and drinking single malt scotch. I’ve been with Go West for 9 years! Duties including driving, being a tour guide, and a terrible joke teller. The best thing about working for Go West is watching the smiles on the people’s faces when they discover the wonderful places we take them. When I’m not at work you can find me in bed or out on the trail.
Aaron
Tour Guide
I grew up in Melbourne and first took off overseas when I spent a semester studying abroad in England and this is where my passion for travel was born! I have since travelled to and lived in a few places around the world, most recently spending 2 years living in Canada. In my spare time you can usually find me hiking or chasing light with a camera in my hand. I love working as a tour guide for Go West, being able to adventure to and share the beauty of the places I grew up around with people from all over the world enriches my life!
Brandon (Red)
Tour Guide
Hi my name is Brandon AKA Red Jesus AKA best tour guide ever. I like long walks into the sunset, seafood and candlelit dinners and bad dad jokes. You may recognise me from Australian First Dates, Season 4 Episode 8. I’ve been considered a chicken ‘cause I’m impeccable. I started with Go West in the winter of 2022 and never looked back. Working at Go West is like a vacation every day! Enough about me… come join us for the best day ever!
Debbie
Tour Guide
I’m Debbie, from Brazil. I am defined by my true passions: best communication standards and joy; and delivering the best experience as a driver is my goal. With over 20 years of history within the Tourism Industry and having excellent feedback from both customers and employers. My mission is to provide an unforgettable experience, managing all elements of your needs in an efficient and ethical manner.
Israel
Tour Guide
I was born and raised Peru but moved to Australia when I was 15 years old. I have a background in Health and Safety but always had an urge to make people laugh and have a good time so I decided to switch industries and join Go West to fulfill that dream. In my spare time I like to engage in many different activities too numerous to list but mainly being outdoors. I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people, especially from overseas and seeing they joy in their faces when spotting wild koalas, it never fails to make me smile.
Yazmin
Tour Guide
I’m Yazmin! Originally I came from an entertainment background – working in theme parks, resorts, and on cruise ships. I grew up in sunny Queensland, but in 2017 I decided to embrace the cold and move to the most vibrant and amazing city of Australia ±—Melbourne. When you join me on tour you can expect lots of stories, sing-alongs, and fun facts about wildlife and the surroundings. I love working for Go West Tours, meeting new people from all over the world, and taking them to some of the most breath-taking parts of Australia.
Shane
Tour Guide
I thoroughly enjoy showing visitors and locals some of our iconic destinations on informative and entertaining tours for Go West. Travelling and the outdoors are passions of mine and I know that a great tour can make memories that last a lifetime. My interests include camping and hiking, completing a Transcontinental Australian 4WD tour and many multi-day hikes including the Great Ocean Walk, Grampians Peak Trail and Wilson Promontory Lighthouse Circuit. I am Melbourne born and bred but I have also been fortunate enough to travel to a variety of overseas destinations in Asia, South America, Africa and recently to Europe.
Isaac
Tour Guide
Hi, I’m Isaac. I grew up in Adelaide, South Australia and lived here for 24 years until I packed up my car and left on a solo trip around Australia. I met amazing people along my journey and made it all the way up the east coast to Cairns before coming to Melbourne, Victoria to travel with my partner. I started working at Go West so I could meet people from across the world every day and show people how beautiful Victoria is. I’m a lover of video games, cooking, eating food, photography, trying new things, and making people laugh. Hope to see you on one of my tours! Cheers, Isaac
Frank
Tour Guide
Born in South Africa to Hungarian parents, I have called Melbourne home since 1974. After over 30 years in Information Technology, and with our three kids becoming independent adults, I’ve decided it’s time for a change in lifestyle. I’ve done a great deal of travel through Australia with my wife and kids, as well as Europe, UK, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Fiji. I’m proud of the country I live in and showing our international guests around my beautiful back yard is truly a privilege !
Kevin
Tour Guide
Living the life I’ve always imagined, in the great outdoors, seeping in breathtaking scenery and sharing stories of this amazing land I call Home. Hi,
I’m Kevin – conceptualised in Portugal, created in Sri Lanka, moulded in Jamaica, enhanced in Dubai, and drenched with the colours of Australis.
Personal belief – life is short, so pack up and just go! Favourite quote – choose a job you love, and you never have to work a day in your life (Confucius)
Fun fact – represented two different countries in Rugby
Point of note – always bring your voice when on tour 🥳