Bees & Beekeeping Equipment
Honey & Honeycomb Products
All-Natural, Beeswax-Based Balms
2023 Business NSW
Regional Awards: Northern Rivers
We are thrilled to have been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Agriculture & Primary Production Award after also being named as Finalists for the Excellence in Micro Business Award.
About HoneyBee Hives
At HoneyBee Hives, our focus is on providing our customers with top-quality, sustainable bee-related products and services. As commercial beekeepers, we specialize in creating and selling bees, as well as producing award-winning honey and honeycomb products, and all-natural beeswax-based balms.
We take pride in sourcing our ingredients from organic, ethical, and local Australian suppliers whenever possible. Our beeswax is sourced from our own apiary, which is operated with the highest standards of ethical practices, ensuring that our products are not only of the finest quality, but also environmentally friendly.
Our unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices guarantees that every product we offer is exceptional, and sure to satisfy even the most discerning of customers.
Our Story
The story begins with the meeting of Di McQueen and Scott Richardson: after falling in love in 2017, we founded HoneyBee Hives in 2018 in response to local demand for bees, and married in May 2020. To date, over 1000 nucleus hives have been supplied to customers from their apiary in northern NSW.
The devastating NSW bushfires of 2019, which destroyed thousands of hectares of bee-foraging areas, meant that we were unable to breed bees for sale, resulting in a need to pivot and develop a new business stream, handcrafting beeswax-based balms. What started as a cost-saving measure for Christmas gifts for family and friends, has since grown into a range of 21 all-natural, therapeutic and cosmetic balms, which we have hopes of expanding into Australian and export markets.
We have been selected to participate in a number of prestigious programs, including the Wheen Bee Foundation’s 5 Bees Pilot Program, which began in 2020 and is ongoing. The program is aimed to support beekeepers to be more productive and sustainable as they adapt in the face of natural disasters. Additionally, we were chosen to participate in the DFAT-funded Vietnam Business Booster Program in 2022, which included a trade delegation to Vietnam, and we have just completed the Investment NSW’s Going Global Export Program (Vietnam).
We attribute our ongoing success to the unwavering support and loyalty of our customers and the local rural community, which has been instrumental in the survival and growth of the business.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create hand-crafted, sustainable, and eco-friendly products that not only enhance the lives of our customers but also contribute to the preservation of the environment. We strongly believe in promoting a sustainable future through our commitment to ethical and socially responsible practices. To ensure that we maintain the highest standards of excellence in all our products, we constantly strive to innovate and improve our processes.
We are dedicated to providing outstanding customer service to all our clients. We believe that building lasting relationships with our customers is essential, and we are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure their satisfaction.
We are passionate about bees and their vital role in our ecosystem. We are committed to sharing this passion through educational programs for all ages. Through our programs, we aim to educate people about the vital role bees play in our environment and how we can all contribute to their preservation.
Our Vision
Our vision is to not only be an industry-leading business that provides exceptional products and customer service but also to educate and empower communities and our customers to live sustainably. We aim to be recognized for our unwavering commitment to preserving the environment through innovation, excellence, and ethical practices.
We strive to create a positive impact on the world and be a role model for other companies to follow, particularly when it comes to the importance of bees in our ecosystem. We are committed to educating people of all ages about the vital role of bees and the challenges they face today. By promoting awareness and knowledge, we believe we can make a significant contribution to the sustainability of our planet.
Our Values
Quality
We are committed to providing the highest quality products and services to our customers.
Sustainability
We strive to operate in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, ensuring that our products and practices are sustainable for future generations.
Innovation
We are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to improve our products and services, and to stay ahead of industry trends.
Customer Service
We value our customers and are dedicated to providing them with outstanding service and support.
Integrity
We conduct our business with honesty and integrity, and always strive to act in the best interest of our customers, employees, and community.
Community
We believe in the importance of being an active and engaged member of our community, and we are committed to supporting local organizations and causes.
Teamwork
We believe that teamwork is essential to achieving our goals and we work closely with our employees and partners to achieve success.
Continuous improvement
We are constantly looking for ways to improve our products and services, and are committed to a culture of continuous learning and growth.
Education
We value education and recognize the importance of honeybees as pollinators in our ecosystem. Our dedication to promoting environmental sustainability, conservation, and community engagement is rooted in comprehensive education and outreach programs that help people of all ages understand the critical role of honeybees in pollination, food production, and environmental sustainability. We believe that by raising awareness about the importance of honeybees and promoting sustainable practices, we can inspire others to take action to protect and conserve these vital insects for future generations.
Our Products
Preview a sample of our products below or access our full shop.
Our Commitment
Our Partners
The Mend & Make Do Crew
1% of all HoneyBee Hives & Blessed Balms profits are proudly helping to #Empowerothers through the amazing efforts of The Mend & Make Do Crew. The focus of this organisation is on supporting homeless & at-risk community members in the Northern NSW and South East Queensland.
From caring kits, workshops & community-run markets, The Mend & Make Do Crew are putting social inclusion at the top of their priorities list. They provide opportunities for social inclusion through recycling-based Arts & Crafts while reducing waste at the same time. To date, they’ve donated over 10,010 Caring Kits!
Make sure to check them out and donate if you can via their website.
Supporting Wellbees by New Horizons
Wellbees by New Horizons’ motto is “Bee Frames. Built Well.” That’s why we purchase our frames from this incredible organisation. Their frames are made from locally-sourced, quality hoop pine and the production of them provides meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability.
Read more about New Horizons on their website.
Lifetime Phone Support For Your Beekeeping Journey
When you purchase HoneyBee Hives bees, you become part of our hive.
To ensure your success, we offer support for the duration of your beekeeping journey.
Our Credentials
Our Awards
HoneyBee Hives has been named as runner’s up in the 2023 Australian Rural Business Awards Rural Business To Watch category.
Grafton Agricultural Show 2023
We are thrilled to announce that our honeycomb frame has also been awarded “Best Exhibit” at the prestigious Grafton Show! This is a great honor for us and a testament to the hard work and dedication that we have put into our beekeeping operations.
*First & Second Prize: Collection of Honey Varieties
*Second Prize: Dark Honey
*First Prize: Heaviest Chicken Eggs!!!
2022 Australian Rural Business Awards
Excellence in E-Commerce
HoneyBee Hives has been named as runner’s up in the recent Australian Rural Business Awards for Excellence in E-Commerce.
2022 Australian Rural Business Awards
Grafton Agricultural Show 2022
- First Prize: Light Honey
- First Prize: Golden Honey
- Second Prize: Dark Honey
Our Recognition
Our Involvement
Community Presentations & Fundraising Opportunities
HoneyBee Hives is dedicated to providing engaging and educational presentations and workshops suitable for individuals of all ages.
Our programs are designed to cater to a wide range of audiences, including preschools, primary and high schools, sporting clubs, social and community groups.
Feel free to get in touch.
NSW Going Global (Vietnam) Program
HoneyBee Hives have been selected from applications across NSW to participate in the 2023 Investment NSW Going Global (Vietnam) Program.
2022 Vietnam Business Booster Program
HoneyBee Hives have been selected from applications across Australia to participate in the 2022 Vietnam Business Booster Program.
5Bees Program By The Wheen Bee Foundation
HoneyBee Hives are one of the 15 commercial beekeepers, selected from across Australia, to participate in the first intake of the 5Bees 3 year program coordinated by The Wheen Bee Foundation that commenced in April 2021.
The program is aimed to support beekeepers to be more productive and sustainable as they adapt in the face of natural disasters.