Our History
Growth of a Family Enterprise. Australian Owned, Family Operated.
R Stephens Apiarists Pty Ltd t/a R Stephens Tasmanian Honey
R. Stephens Tasmanian Honey was established by the
late Robert Stephens in 1920, and has progressed from
a pre-WWI hobby of a few hives, to a successful
apiary business of 2,500 hives. Today, the thriving business produces approximately 35% of Tasmania’s honey crop.
During Spring and early Summer the hives are situated in the North and North-West of Tasmania. In the summer the hives, which are palletised, are transported
to the World Heritage Area on Tasmania’s West Coast, that is rich with leatherwood honey trees, (Eucryphia lucida). Each summer millions of working
bees gather this unique nectar from the blossom of the magnificent leatherwood tree, which only grows in these rugged rainforests. This area
includes the wilderness catchment of the Franklin and Bird Rivers. To access part of this heritage area, the Stephens family transport their hives
and honey on the renowned ABT Wilderness Railway to Teepookana via Strahan.
R Stephens Tasmanian Honey produces two varieties of honey:
Golden Nectar Honey - Certified Organic Real Leatherwood Honey is uniquely flavoured honey
of the highest quality, which is only produced in Tasmania. The leatherwood tree traces back to the time of Gondwanaland. This pure honey is produced from wilderness areas, many listed as World Heritage Areas, bringing to you one of the finest quality products in the world.
Golden Bee Honey - Clover, Blackberry and Ground Flora Honey is gathered from the lush
pastures of the North and North-West of Tasmania during December and January.
This honey is sold within Tasmania because production rarely meets demand.
These honeys are gathered directly from our hives and are packed in quality assured
premises at the family factory located in picturesque Mole Creek, Tasmania.
As respected apiarists our aim is to preserve the floral essence of the flower
from which the bee collects its nectar.
FROM HIVES TO YOU!
No Additives - allergen and gluten free.
Robert Stephens and his wife, Edith.
Robert established Stephens Tasmanian Honey in 1920. Robert’s focus was to breed the perfect bee for the Tasmanian climate, and for the next 46 years grew this amazing family owned and operated business. Then in 1966, Stephens Tasmanian Honey was passed onto their son, Ian Stephens.
From 1966 Ian Stephens and his wife Shirley became the driving force behind the successful worldwide marketing of Stephens Tasmanian Honey, growing their honey distribution to reach many corners of the world. Some 52 years on, in 2018, they handed the reins of the business over to their children. A family that had been working alongside each other since the children were very young.
Since 2018 the official running of Stephens Tasmanian Honey had now transferred over to Ian and Shirley’s children - Ken, Neal and Ewan (left to right) and their sister Heather (not pictured here) they have been operating the business to the present day, continuing the tradition with their own growing families.