His family never imagined how soon that would be. Mr Steel, 25, died when a tourist bus he was on overturned on a sightseeing trip in Bolivia late last month.

Hundreds of friends, family members, colleagues and community leaders gathered to pay tribute to the ACT government media adviser at the Playhouse at Canberra Theatre on Friday.

There were tears and laughter as they shared memories of the proud Canberran's zest for life and love for his family and friends, as well an intelligence and passion for politics that had him tipped as one of the Labor Party's rising young leaders.

They also reflected on the legacy of a man who inspired them all to be better, love more and give back to their community.

Fellow Canberran Gemma Barnes, 27, sustained serious injuries in the crash which killed her friend, and said he had been her protector until the last.

"I thank you for my life," she said. "It's a miracle I'm alive and I truly believe it was you who was my guardian angel that night," she said.

Mr Steel was there to reassure her in the moments after the accident, rubbing his foot up and down her leg, as she cried and screamed for help.

"I feel honoured that I was there for your final moments, but I feel more honoured that you were my friend."

In a tribute read by a family friend, Philip and Jayne Steel said their son was due to arrive home this week for what would have been his 26th birthday on Monday. Instead, his parents had the heartbreaking task of travelling to La Paz to bring home their son's body.

Mrs Steel said her son fit in more into his 25 years than most people would in a lifetime. "There are no regrets. We could not have loved him more, nor said anything else that wasn't said to him every day. No parents were more proud."

Mrs Steel said she would always wonder "what heights he may have climbed in his professional life, and what joys we might have shared in his personal life".

"Your smile is your signature, your heart is as big as the moon, your love of life and everything in it was immense and contagious," she said.

To his two older siblings, Mr Steel was "the little prince", often teased for getting away with more than they did. said his brother was "an immense character". He said it was "the moments in between the photographs" – memories of runs around the lake, trips to the gym, and Friday dinners with their parents – that he would treasure most.

Kurt Steel shared a wacky sense of humour with his sister Yasmin Milnes, who said her brother was the heart of the close-knit family.

"Every minute of your life was well-lived," she said.

Mr Steel worked for Treasurer and deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who said he was heartbroken to say goodbye to his fun, talented, productive and committed colleague and "great mate".

"Kurt was a standout leader in my team," he said. "He was admired, respected and cherished by his colleagues.

"We all enjoyed his company and that cheeky grin, that generally preceded a request to do something we probably didn't want to do."

Mr Barr said he had been struck by the young man's wisdom and imaginative ideas. "Kurt understood that politics was about more than counting numbers, winning votes or framing a budget. It was about values, it was about vision and it was about outcomes for people.

"We love him, and will miss him terribly," Mr Barr said.

Mr Steel went to Melrose High School and Canberra College, where he was among a group of politically active students with a strong interest in social justice.

His best friends, including Bryce Logan, praised his intelligence, ever-present sense of humour, generosity and inclusiveness. "He was genuine, he was loyal, he was a leader and a joker," Mr Logan said.

"He was an inspiration; he was someone who loved unconditionally. He was larger than life."

Mr Logan said his friend would not have wanted his loved ones to fear death or loss, but rather to embrace life.

"When our time here is finished, we should endeavour to leave behind what Kurt has left for us: an empire of people and memories, brought together by one who loved and gave more than he ever took."