Adopt-a-Hive Program

Every year, Hinterland Bees rescues, relocates and removes scores of bee nests from buildings, trees and unwanted locations.

Are you a passionate beekeeper looking to expand your apiary? This is your chance to adopt a thriving colony from Hinterland Bees’ bee rescue and removal service!

This offer is only open to registered beekeepers in Queensland with at least one year of experience. Read the full T&Cs below.

Please register your interest in adopting one of our bee rescue colonies.

Hinterland Bees Adopt-a-Hive Program Terms and Conditions

1. Eligibility:

  • The program is open exclusively to beekeepers based in Queensland, Australia.

  • Beekeepers must be registered with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and have a HIN.

2. Experience Requirement:

  • Participants must have a minimum of 1 year of documented beekeeping experience.

3. Supply of Beehive Box:

  • Recipients are responsible for providing their own beehive box.

4. Transfer of Adopted Bees:

  • Frames of adopted bees will be transferred into the recipient's provided beehive box, which must be supplied to Hinterland Bees in advance.

5. Origin of Adopted Bees:

  • Adopted bees are sourced from Hinterland Bees' bee removal services and will contain naturally-drawn cut-out brood combs.

  • The cut-out brood combs are of different ages and condition, and may require cycling out and replacement over time by an experienced beekeeper.

6. Additional Frames:

  • Depending on the colony's size, additional wired frames with wax foundation may be added to the adopted bees to fill out the recipient's beehive box.

7. Frame Exchange:

  • Recipients commit to supplying Hinterland Bees with exchange frames corresponding to the number of frames of adopted bees received.

  • For example, if a recipient receives six frames with cut-out brood, they must exchange six frames wired with wax foundation.

  • No frames with plastic foundation.

  • Alternatively, adoptees can pay $10 per frame.

8. Pest and Disease Check:

  • Hinterland Bees will conduct a pest and disease check, including a Varroa alcohol wash, before collection.

  • Recipients agree to conduct detailed fortnightly pest and disease checks for at least three months after adoption.

  • Hinterland Bees will not be held responsible for any undetected pests or diseases.

9. Collection Location:

  • Unless otherwise arranged, the adopted bees must be collected from Hinterland Bees at 30 Nadi Lane, North Maleny.

10. Collection Timeframe:

  • Adopted bees must be collected on the pre-arranged date and time.

  • Failure to collect within the specified timeframe may result in the bees being donated to another recipient.

11. Program Changes:

  • Hinterland Bees reserves the right to change the Adopt-a-Hive program terms and conditions at its discretion.

12. Agreement:

  • By participating in the Hinterland Bees Adopt-a-Hive program, all participants agree to abide by these terms and conditions. Hinterland Bees reserves the right to disqualify participants who do not comply with the program's requirements.