How To Find A Local Beekeeping Club Near You

Life as a beekeeper can be hugely rewarding. But if you’re just starting, it can also be daunting – checking hives obsessively, worrying about your legal responsibilities or questioning your own decisions.

There’s a lot to learn when you’re fresh in the beekeeping business, and you need support along the way. As well as meeting like-minded people, exchanging knowledge and contributing to your community, a beekeeping club can offer support and ease some of the stress that comes with being a new-bee.

Here’s everything you need to know about finding and joining a beekeeping club in Australia.

First up, what exactly is a beekeeping club?

Australian beekeeping clubs exist to promote beekeeping as a hobby. They’re a wonderful introduction into the world of beekeeping, where you can meet other beekeepers, soak up knowledge from veterans and make friends who are as passionate about bees as you are. You’ll mingle with the beekeeping pros, clarify any questions you have in person and hopefully roll up your sleeves and get some practical experience with the hives.

Benefits of joining a club

While the internet is a great way to boost your beekeeping knowledge, it’ll only get you so far – and a screen doesn’t offer the same support a real-life beekeeping expert can. Most beekeeping clubs host monthly or bi-weekly meetings and are a wonderful place to get to know other beekeepers in your area.

In every beekeeping club, you’ll rub shoulders with veteran beekeepers. These are great people to learn from. Some clubs offer classes or lectures run by experts. Others may offer mentoring services and will come to look at your bees if you’re concerned about diseases or anything else in your hives.

Most clubs have their own hives, offering a great opportunity for hands-on learning and practical experience. Some clubs may also have honey harvesting equipment to lend or hire, which can be hugely helpful when you’re just starting. If you’re looking to buy bees or hive equipment, a beekeeping club is also a great place to find a reputable seller. In some clubs, people get together to sell honey at their local markets.

Whatever your reason for joining a club, there’s no denying it’s a good idea – for your bees, your expertise and even your social life!

How and when to join

In Australia, we’re spoiled for choice with clubs in every state. Joining a club is as easy as filling out an online application and paying the annual fee, which is usually no more than $30 per year. Each club runs its organisation differently – find your nearest club, head to the website and follow the instructions on how to become a member.

Find a beekeeping club in your state or city

Western Australia Beekeeping Clubs

Beekeeping Clubs in Perth

• West Australian Apiarists’ Society Inc

Northern Territory Beekeeping Clubs

Beekeeping Clubs in Alice Springs

• Alice Springs Beekeepers

Queensland Beekeeping Clubs

Beekeeping Clubs in Brisbane

• Brisbane Amateur Beekeepers Society

Beekeeping Clubs in Bundaberg

• Bundaberg Beekeepers Association

Beekeeping Clubs in Townsville

• Townsville & Districts Beekeepers Association

Sunshine Coast Beekeeping Clubs

• Sunshine Coast Beekeepers Inc

Gold Coast Beekeeping Clubs

• Gold Coast Amateur Beekeepers Society
• Gold Coast Regional Beekeepers

Wider Queensland Beekeeping Clubs

• Barambah Bees
• Valley Bees

Victoria Beekeeping Clubs

Beekeeping Clubs in Melbourne

• CERES Bee Group
• The Melbourne Section of the Victorian Apiarists’ Association Inc
• Coonara Beekeeping Club
• The Beekeepers Club Inc

Wider Victoria Beekeeping Clubs

• Yarra Valley Bee Group
• Geelong Beekeepers Club Inc
• Southside Beekeepers Club
• South Gippsland Beekeepers
• Geelong Beekeepers Club Inc

South Australia Beekeeping Clubs

• South Australian Apiarists Association
• The Beekeepers’ Society of South Australia

New South Wales Beekeeping Clubs

Sydney Beekeeping Clubs

• The Sydney Bee Club
• Northern Beaches Beekeepers Club
• North Shore Beekeepers Association Inc
• Parramatta Amateur Beekeepers Inc
• The Inner West Beekeepers

Wider New South Wales Beekeeping Clubs

• Bega Valley Beekeepers Club
• Eurobodalla Amateur Beekeepers Association
• Hunter Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association
• The Manning Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association
• Hastings Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association
• Mid North Coast Beekeepers
• Far North Coast Beekeepers
• The Northern Rivers Club
• Illawarra Beekeepers Association
• The Southern Highlands’ Apiarists Association
• Nepean Beekeepers Association
• Hawkesbury Beekeepers Incorporated
• Blue Mountains Beekeepers Club
• Central Coast Amateur Beekeepers
• The Shoalhaven Beekeepers Association
• The Goulburn Beekeepers Club
• Yass Beekeeper Club
• Amateur Beekeepers Association NSW
• Macarthur Amateur Beekeepers Association

Australian Capital Territory Beekeeping Clubs

Canberra Beekeeping Clubs

• Beekeepers Association of the ACT

Tasmania Beekeeping Clubs

• Tasmanian Beekeepers Association

Join the club, build your knowledge

There’s a lot to learn as a beekeeper, and it’s not something to take lightly. But there’s no need to worry – joining your local beekeeping club will take that stress away, offer you support and make you part of a like-minded community of beekeepers on the beekeeping highway.

Interested in becoming a beekeeper? For more information on all things beekeeping, check out our otherblogs.