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Beekeeper for a Day: Hive Tour & Honey Tasting Experience
Step into the fascinating world of bees with this immersive hands-on
experience at a working honey farm, set in the scenic Southern Highlands. Your
host is a passionate beekeeper who’ll guide you through a fun and informative
journey into the life of the hive.
We begin on the farm’s beautiful terrace with a curated honey tasting
featuring up to six unique varieties. You’ll learn how flavour, colour, and
texture reflect the flowers the bees have foraged—from bushland blossoms to
garden blooms—each drop telling a floral story.
Enjoy fresh sourdough alongside plunger-brewed coffee and tea as your guide
shares insights into bee biology, the colony lifecycle, and their vital role
in pollination and food production.
Then it’s time to suit up in a professional full-body beekeeping suit (gloves
included!) and head to the hives. You’ll open an active hive, hold a frame
covered in bees, and witness the queen’s court in action—if we’re lucky, we’ll
spot “Liz”, the queen herself!
You’ll also see a Flow Hive in action and learn how beekeepers check for hive
health, brood patterns, and honey stores in a safe and careful way.
At Bowral Honey Farm, every visit and experience includes a short moment of
mindfulness among the bees. Tapping into a long tradition of api‑therapy, one
aspect that we explore is simply being immersed in the sounds, scents, and
gentle energy of a working apiary as the bees go about their lives.
During each workshop and tour, guests are invited to place a hand on the
back of a hive and quietly imagine the 50,000 workers within; moving,
communicating, and organising themselves through vibration, scent and sound.
We then pause for a brief breathing exercise, closing our eyes and tuning in
to the low hum around us. With ten hives arranged in a circle, guests stand at
the focal point of the combined life force of more than half a million bees.
This simple meditation offers a powerful way to slow down, to connect with
the natural rhythms of the seasons, and to experience the presence of these
remarkable pollinators in a deeper, more reflective way.
This is the perfect introduction for curious minds, nature lovers, and anyone
wanting to connect with bees and the landscape in a meaningful way. If you're
interested in starting your own hive, ask us about our longer workshops.
We're looking forward to meeting you and showing you our bees!
The address, in case you can't find it is
1325 Old South Road Bowral NSW 2576.
We're on the grounds of Retford Park, a National Trust property. Enter through
the main gates 1325 Old South Road, Bowral. Drive straight ahead (it's a long
driveway, very fancy!) the drive eventually turns off to the right. You'll see
my hives and signage set up. You can park in the paddock opposite, or go ahead
a little further and park in the gravel parking area.
I'd suggest that you arrive 15x minutes early so you're not rushed. We will
also have honey available for sale after the visit.
This tour takes place on the grounds of Retford Park, NOT our former site in
Bowral township. It is a 5x minute drive from Bowral main street.
Remember to wear BOOTS or ankle-covering shoes. If you only have joggers bring
along some LONG socks to cover your ankles.
If you have any questions feel free to call me on 0428294569
or email hamish@bowralbeekeeping.com
Bowral Honey Farm
SGD 126.35