>I am a U.S. hobbyist (sometimes lawyer) visiting Australia for the third time
>next month and would like to contact an Aussie counterpart for observation &
>discussion.  I am will be in Adelaide on 15 January, in Sydney on 12 & 13
>January and Adelaide15 January.
 
I have not seen any replies posted to this query although the South
Australian apiary industry is alive and well - perhaps not connected to the
Internet, though.  The Secretary of South Australian Apiarists Association
is Kay Lambert (Fax: 61-8-8849 2228 Tel: 61-8-8849 2075).  She would be the
best contact for details of beekeepers in Adelaide itself.
 
It is possible to visit Kangaroo Island on a day trip but I do not recommend
this - by the time you get here and turn around, it is time to return to
Adelaide.  There are several sites of interest to apiarists including a
limestone cave with 9 feral hives, one of which has built comb a metre and a
half in length.  A queen breeder on the Island is so impressed with this
hive he has grafted queen cells from it for his own use.  The site is known
to apiarists and to National Park staff who regularly conduct Adventure
Caving for school children with no confrontation occurring between users,
but is not a regular tourist stop.  If you cannot spare several days to
explore the Island, better to give it a miss.
 
I recommend you check out the Honey Shoppe in Adelaide which is in the
arcade connecting Victoria Square to the Central Market.  It is operated by
an extended beekeeping family by the name of Gilbert who have marketed their
own varietal honeys for many years (in particular their orange blossom
honey) and now offer for sale honeys from all over Australia so you can see
Tasmanian and Queensland honeys (and Kangaroo Island honeys), in the one
location.  The shop is usually staffed by family members.
 
Betty McAdam
HOG BAY APIARY
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
j.h. & e. mcadam<[log in to unmask]
http://kigateway.eastend.com.au/hogbay/hogbay1.htm