LEARN TO KEEP BEES
One-Day Beekeeping Course
for Beginners
Learn the fundamentals of beekeeping from experienced beekeepers at Jerry’s Honey, hands-on, practical, and set on our own working apiary in Thirlmere, NSW.
A Beginner-Friendly Course, Taught by Real Beekeepers
Ever wondered what it’s really like to keep bees? At Jerry’s Honey, we’ve been beekeeping since 2010 starting with a single backyard swarm and growing to a working apiary of more than 40 hives in the New South Wales. Now, we’re sharing everything we’ve learned with you.
Our One Day Beekeeping Course for Beginners is a practical, easy-to-follow introduction to the world of bees perfect whether you’re thinking about starting your own hive, already have chickens and veggies and want to add bees to the mix, or you’re simply curious about how honey is really made.
What You'll Learn?
By the end of the day, you’ll be able to:
- Understand honey bee biology and how a colony is structured
- Identify the roles of the queen, workers, and drones
- Recognise the essential equipment every beekeeper needs
- Safely conduct a basic hive inspection
- Spot common bee pests and diseases
- Understand how to manage a hive through the seasons
- Know the basics of harvesting your own honey
Who This Course Is For?
- Complete beginners — no experience necessary
- Hobby farmers looking to add bees to their property
- Garden enthusiasts wanting to boost pollination naturally
- Anyone curious about honey bees and how a hive really works
What's Included?
- A full day of hands-on, expert-led tuition
- Morning tea and afternoon tea (2 drinks supplied)
- Lunch (please note: lunch orders are taken during morning tea)
- Small class sizes for a genuinely hands-on experience at a real apiary
What to Bring?
To keep you comfortable and safe around the hives, please bring:
- Long pants
- Closed footwear
- A water bottle
- A notebook (for jotting down everything you learn!)
Inside the Course
This isn’t a lecture, it’s a full, hands-on day at a real, working apiary. We’ll cover:
Understanding Honey Bees
Bee biology, the honey bee life cycle, the roles of the queen, workers and drones, how bees communicate, and why they’re so important for pollination and the environment.
Beekeeping Equipment
A guided walkthrough of bee suits, veils, smokers, hive tools, feeders, Langstroth hives, and frames and foundation, so you know exactly what you need before you start.
Hive Components and Setup
How to identify the parts of a hive, assemble one yourself, and choose the right position and site for your bees to thrive.
Live Hive Inspection
The highlight of the day. You’ll learn to light and use a smoker, open a hive safely, remove frames, and identify brood, pollen, nectar, and honey stores, all under expert guidance.
Health, Pests and Disease
How to recognise healthy brood and signs of hive stress, plus an introduction to common threats like Varroa mite, American foulbrood, and Nosema.
Seasonal Hive Management
What to expect and do through spring buildup, the summer honey flow, autumn preparation, winter survival, and how to prevent swarming.
Honey Harvesting
When and how to harvest, basic extraction and filtering methods, storage tips, and an overview of local food safety regulations for anyone considering selling their honey.
Course Investment
Full-day tuition, lunch, and two drinks (morning and afternoon tea).
$350 per person
Why Choose Jerry's Honey?
- Australian-owned and family-run – not a mass-produced supermarket brand
- 100% raw and natural – no additives, no shortcuts
- Sourced from our own hives in New South Wales
- Supporting local bee populations, which are vital to our environment
- Custom gift boxes and wedding favours available, with free personalised labelling
