Buy Beehives & Boxes in Australia

Buying a beehive in Australia: what to know

The Langstroth hive is the standard in Australia. Most beekeeping equipment, frames, and accessories are built around the 10-frame Langstroth standard. Unless you have a specific reason to choose otherwise, start with a Langstroth brood box and one super.

Flow Hives use a proprietary honey-harvesting mechanism. They cost more upfront but allow honey extraction without removing frames. The bees and management are identical to a standard Langstroth.

A nucleus hive (nuc) is a starter colony in a small 4-5 frame box. It is the easiest way to start beekeeping with established brood, a laying queen, and bees already working together. Nucleus hives are seasonal and sell out quickly. Most Australian retailers supply nucs in spring (September to November).

Australian timber boxes are usually made from kiln-dried pine. Plastic hive components are lighter and easier to clean but less popular among traditional beekeepers. All boxes should be treated or painted on the outside to protect from the weather.