The House of Representatives is closed. Learn more

HiveMind: Honeybees, Democracy & Me

Honeybees have more connections to democracy than you might think.

Location

Main floor

Discover how honeybees run their hives as democracies. 

Learn the fascinating story of how beehives ended up at Old Parliament House. See the tools used by the building’s first unofficial beekeeper, MP William Yates. Explore our floor-to-ceiling honeycomb ‘wall of ideas’.

A woman takes a photo with her mobile photo of her friend touching a wall with colourful hexagons fitting into a wall.

A man peers into a glass display case that has a large round yellow ball of bee wax,

A pinboard with lots of notes and a typewriter in front of it and a sign that reads 'do better than buzzwords'.

A room with green couches, cushions on the floor and books on the bookshelf.

Plan your visit

A quiet audio narration plays in the exhibition. Several walls of the exhibition feature a floor to ceiling honeycomb pattern. The lounge area of the exhibition is a quiet place.

There are books, puzzles and activities using pen and paper.

There is seating in the lounge area of this exhibition.

The ramps leading from the exhibition to the terrace rooms are narrow.

You may also be interested in...

Australia’s Public Service: For the government of the day

Australia’s Public Service: For the government of the day

Discover the inner workings of the public service.

First Women in Parliament

First Women in Parliament

This tour introduces you to the first women in Australian politics and the challenges they faced.

Blueprint

Blueprint

Explore the steps we’ve taken to build a uniquely Australian democratic system.

King's Hall

King's Hall

A meeting place that's always been the centre of the action.

Happy and Glorious

Happy and Glorious

Souvenirs and stories from Queen Elizabeth’s 1954 visit to Old Parliament House.

Speaker’s Suite

Speaker’s Suite

Celebrates the life and work of Joan Child, the first woman to become Speaker of the House.