We had never imagined owning an apiary. But three years ago, my husband discovered a place that looked like paradise on earth – a small farm called Nerimbah for sale on Jaggers Beach just south of Bermagui – which has changed the direction of our lives.

The property was already home to Scottish Highland cattle and Dorper sheep. Grazing together on the coastal pastures with the beach and sea right behind them, they were already something of a local landmark. Always intending to keep our new pets in their roles as very effective furry lawnmowers, we instead started to think seriously about bees.

As we learned more about the challenges facing bees globally and the vital role they play in pollinating plants and crops, we were delighted to discover that the diversity of plants on our farm and in the surrounding landscape of coastal heath, tens of thousands of hectares of native bushland and seasonal flowering trees, creates an excellent environment for bees.

With this in mind, we introduced the first hives in May 2025. The idea that the farm could produce its own honey felt both exciting and special, and it was also satisfying to feel we were doing something positive for the environment.

The bees quickly settled into their new home, and we had an impressive first harvest, something that has continued since. Depending on the season, the bees forage on many species including banksia, tea tree, blue gum and coastal rosemary, with each flowering subtly shaping the character of the honey from that season.

Inspecting a frame of bees from hives at the apiary. Photo credit Sue Roseman.

The honey naturally varies in colour, texture, aroma and flavour – far more than I ever imagined possible, depending on what is flowering at the time and the effects of the weather.

While most honey is harvested and labelled according to floral variety, we found this seasonality fascinating. Rather than blending or heavily filtering it, we harvest the honey seasonally in small batches, allowing each harvest to reflect the character of the landscape around it.

Being true to the landscape was the seed idea behind the name Bermagooey. Honey is, of course, gooey – and ours comes from Bermagui. The name reflects the importance of connection to place.
We only began selling Bermagooey honey at local markets this past December and are delighted now to be stocked by a select number of local shops – sharing a little of this landscape in every jar.

Stockists are listed on the Bermagooey website: bermagooey.com. Follow on Instagram: @bermagooey

Sue Roseman