Available Courses

We conduct several courses each year targeting from beginners to advanced beekeepers. See below for available courses.

( Check Events Calendar )

Beekeeping for Beginners Course $299

Places are limited to approx. 16 so book early to avoid disappointment.

Pay for 1 Spot in the Course & You Can Add a 2nd Spot for Just $170

If you pay full price for a place in this course, you can book an extra place for $170 (a saving of $129).

Overview

This beekeepers course is aimed at beginners and enthusiasts who want to learn about bees and keeping bees in a backyard, rooftop or suburban area.

This course is run on one day from 8:30am – 4:00pm at our Apiary in Sutherland. Please be punctual we start the course at 8.30am sharp! We supply Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea for $299. All our courses are based on the current Units of Competency as outlined by www.training.gov.au and reference material is based on the Agskills publication.

Format

Our course begins with theory in the clubhouse where you will learn all about bees from experienced beekeepers. After the theory, we usually pause for a cuppa at morning tea before heading head out to the apiary. The class will be split up in small groups so everyone gets a close-up view and hands-on experience as we open and inspect bee colonies in the yard. After a fully catered lunch, we will continue with a little more theory before returning to the apiary to inspect the engine room of the colony… known as the brood box. The day will continue with more hands-on experience then uncapping honeycomb, honey extraction, labelling and packaging your own jar of raw honey direct from our apiary to take home with you.

We will supply you with protective clothing and gear as well as the use of smokers, beehive tools and other accessories needed in the apiary.

Venue

Thanks to our permanent apiary, the bees are housed in productive colonies managed by our apiary officer and helpers so we will always have good examples of working hives just a few meters from our clubhouse.

We are walking distance from Sutherland Station on the Bondi Junction to Illawarra (Cronulla or Waterfall lines). Head towards Eton Street (south) and walk through the park boom gate. The Beekeepers club house is across the cycle track (road) in front of you. Car parking is available on street at the southern end of Eton Street, near house number 96 Eton Street. Our actual address is Waratah Park, Eton St Sutherland NSW 2232. The gate to our facility is next to 96 Eton St Sutherland where you’ll see a boom gate to walk through.

Note: These courses are limited to about 16 students so places will sell out fast. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Please Note

We have special pricing for partners so please contact us on education@illawarrabeekeepers.org.au for further details.

For your own safety please wear closed-in shoes, long socks, long trousers and no perfume or hairspray. We will have protective loan gear available on the day. Please check our map to prevent wandering around lost in the morning when you start the course. You can find a detailed map to our apiary on our contact page.

The course numbers are limited to ensure maximum support from our instructors and ensure the best possible practical experience with the hives. Payment must be received at least 7 days prior to course commencement no payment will be accepted on the day of the course, you will receive an email confirming your enrollment.

Refund Policy

  • A full refund is available within 24 hours of your booking if you change your mind
  • After that time, but up to 48hrs before the course date, the refund will be $275 to cover the costs of pre-reading material that will be sent out
  • A refund with less than 48hrs notice of the course date be $200 as that covers our cost of food and the book
  • If you have booked a partner, we offer a $100 refund if you apply for the refund no less than 48 hours from the course date

Queen Rearing 2 day Workshop $350

This workshop includes 2 days of instruction from expert beekeepers featuring Bruce White. Attendees will have the opportunity to handle live bees, and undertake a practical application of Queen Bee grafting. The 2 days will allow participants to graft a queen larva on day 1 and follow up on day 2 to see how well their grafts have taken, prepare a starter hive for cell rearing, graft a queen larva, raise the cells and make up a mating nucleus hive. This workshop is limited to 15 places, so book fast.

Catering

Lunch, morning and afternoon tea/coffee for each day is included.

Your Safety is Our Priority

Specialised bee protective clothing is available for loan at the event. However, for your own safety you will need to wear a long sleeve shirt (lightweight if a hot day), long pants tucked into socks and covered shoes. Do not wear perfumes, scented lotions, shampoos etc. on the day as these annoy bees. Beehives in the apiary will be opened during the event if weather permits. If the weather is poor, beehives will be opened in a covered area available on site. You must read, understand and agree with our Working with Bees (Acknowledgement of Risk) document here.

When & Where

Start 8.30am Finish 4.30pm

Illawarra Beekeepers Apiary
98 Eton St Sutherland
NSW 2232

For directions visit our Contact page