Me and my family went booked two full-day trips in Go West to look at amazing sites around Melbourne such as the 12 Apostles.
The hospitality, support and service the driver/guide, Rhys was amazing. He was an absolute delight to have and really helped me and family enjoy our time in Melbourne. He would give suitable timings for breaks which would be enough for us to get food, drinks, etc and same with looking at the site he took us too and which gave us adequate time to enjoy, and soak the beauty of the place additionally it would give him enough time to reach back to the city before his hours of driving are up and before it gets too late and dark.
The breaks would be occurring in amazing, scenic locations which would have food, washrooms and give us enough time to also enjoy the view as well before getting back to the bus and heading to the site/destination. Additionally, he gave coffee, tea, hot water and muffins for breakfast on me and family’s first day trip with Go West which was very thoughtful of him.
He gave useful tips, and information about each site as we were passing them on the bus to reach the destination, alongside with funny stories and jokes to make us laugh and feel comfortable. Rhys was very inviting, and friendly to everyone who was on the bus where he would give a warm, friendly, welcoming, relaxed atmosphere throughout the trip.
Me and my brother would talk to him like he is our friend and we would joke around, talk about the site we are heading to, we would ask questions about Melbourne and about Australia in general to him, and where else to explore around Melbourne where he would give insightful, informative answers.
Overall, me and family really enjoyed our time with Go West and Rhys providing us with a fantastic experience to see the true nature, beauty and culture of Melbourne.
Highly recommend everyone to use Go West to explore Melbourne. You will not regret, in fact you will truly enjoy it - especially if you have Rhys as your...
Read morePhillip Island Penguin Parade Small Group Eco Tour with Go West
What a fantastic day we had on the tour to Phillip Island with Go West! Bluey, our driver and guide, truly made the experience even more enjoyable. He was friendly, engaging, full of fun, and shared plenty of interesting information throughout the trip — definitely not your typical boring tour guide!
The highlight of the tour was, without a doubt, the Penguin Parade — an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon unique to Phillip Island. As dusk falls, hundreds of little penguins — the smallest penguin species in the world — emerge from the ocean and waddle across the beach to their burrows in the dunes. It’s a heartwarming and magical sight to witness them in their natural habitat, and it’s something that can only be experienced in this part of the world. The way the penguins instinctively return home each evening after a day of fishing at sea is truly remarkable and humbling.
Oh… I learned something new tonight — as I walked away from the Penguin Parade site under the pitch-dark skies, I was greeted by the breathtaking sight of the Milky Way as my son pointed it out. It was truly beautiful, a magical moment that made the night even more unforgettable.
Thank you again for a great day out, Bluey. I highly recommend this tour -it’s excellent value for money and a must-do for nature lovers visiting Melbourne.
One suggestion for Go West’s consideration: The mini-bus felt quite congested and uncomfortable. It would be helpful to clearly define what “small group” means — whether that’s 8, 10, 12, or more people. Having too many people packed in, especially in a closed space, raises health concerns with passengers coughing or sneezing, leading to potential...
Read moreIf you're ever in Melbourne and looking for a memorable day trip, the Phillip Island tour with GoWest is an absolute must, especially if you're lucky enough to have Rachel as your driver, guide, and official penguin mascot!
From the moment we hopped on the bus, Rach made it clear that this wasn’t going to be your average day tour. Her vibrant personality and wealth of knowledge were immediately apparent. She had us laughing, learning, and genuinely enjoying every stop, from the colorful Brighton Bathing Boxes to the breathtaking views at The Nobbies.
But the real highlights? The Moonlit Sanctuary and the Penguin Parade, of course! Rach kept the energy high, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the animals’ adorable antics. She shared her genuine love for the island’s wildlife (wallabies, geese, penguins, you name it) which made the experience even more special.
I was particularly touched by one moment at the Moonlit Sanctuary. Some tourists carelessly dropped tissues near a pademelon and without hesitation, Rachel swooped in to pick up the litter. It was such a small but thoughtful act that really showed how much she cares for the environment. Rachel didn’t just know her animals, she practically treated them like family, introducing each one with their unique names and quirky personalities. It was clear she had a special connection with them.
Beyond all this, she even provided us with cute drawings to highlight her recommendations for other spots to visit & experience in Melbourne! Who knew a tour guide could be such a talented artist? We tried Calle which was recommended by her and it was amazing!
So, if you're after an informative, fun, and heartfelt day, Rachel and GoWest are...
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