A full-day, hands-on permaculture workshop held every Sunday at the Youth Activities Centre (YAC) in Byron Bay.

Each Sunday you’ll spend the day in the garden with Geoff, learning practical skills for growing food and designing productive systems that work in real landscapes.

We work with what’s actually happening on site. You observe, you participate, and you build alongside Geoff as the garden is developed in real time. No theory for the sake of it—just practical work, clear decisions, and direct learning from the land.

Every Sunday has a different focus depending on the season and what the site needs, but the intention is always the same: to help you understand how to grow food and design systems that function in any climate.

Over the series, you’ll work through the core building blocks of permaculture—from soil and compost systems through to water, food production, and integrated garden design. Each workshop stands alone, but together they build a deeper understanding of how natural systems connect.

What you’ll experience

A full-day immersive workshop in a functioning permaculture site. You’ll work alongside Geoff as he demonstrates how to read the land, make practical design decisions, and build systems step by step as they’re needed.

Schedule

9:00am – 4:00pm

Includes two short tea breaks and a 30-minute lunch break (food not included)

Week 1 — Design Your Own Garden

Bring your own property plans, sketches, measurements, or ideas and spend the day working through practical garden design with Geoff and the group.

This workshop focuses on the fundamentals of laying out a productive garden system—looking at access, water flow, sunlight, placement, and how different elements connect together in a practical way.

By the end of the day, you’ll have clearer direction and practical next steps for your own site.

Topics include:

• Basic permaculture design principles
• Garden layout and access
• Water flow and placement
• Productive use of small or large spaces
• Identifying opportunities and problem areas

Week 2 — How to Make Compost

Learn how to build healthy compost from scratch using simple, accessible materials.

Geoff will demonstrate his “Instant Compost” method live on site—including sourcing ingredients from everyday places like Bunnings and local suppliers. Together, the group will build a complete compost system from the ground up.

Topics include:

• Understanding compost ingredients
• Carbon and nitrogen balance
• Sourcing local materials
• Building a compost pile correctly
• Moisture and airflow basics
• Simple compost management techniques

Week 3 — Building a Kitchen Garden

Learn how to set up a productive kitchen garden for everyday herbs, greens, and vegetables.

This practical workshop focuses on creating simple, manageable growing spaces that produce food close to home.

Topics include:

• Garden bed layout and orientation
• Soil preparation
• Simple planting methods
• Crop selection for home gardens
• Basic irrigation ideas
• Easy-to-maintain garden systems

Week 4 — Introduction to Food Forests

Learn the basics of food forest design and how layered planting systems work together to create productive, resilient gardens.

This workshop introduces the core ideas behind food forests through observation, discussion, and practical planting demonstrations on site.

Topics include:

• What a food forest is
• Understanding plant layers
• Choosing support species
• Basic layout and spacing
• Soil preparation and planting
• Early-stage food forest establishment

Week 5 — Building a Garden Pond

Learn how a simple garden pond can improve biodiversity, create habitat, and transform the feel and function of a landscape.

This workshop focuses on the practical basics of planning and building a small, productive garden pond, and how water influences everything around it—including temperature, humidity, and plant growth.

Topics include:

• Pond placement and sizing
• Basic excavation concepts
• Water movement and overflow
• Aquatic plants and edge planting
• Creating habitat and supporting wildlife
• Microclimates and how water changes the garden environment
• Integrating ponds into productive garden systems

Week 6 — Trellis Gardens & Climbing Crops

Learn how to grow more food vertically using practical trellis systems and climbing plants.

This workshop focuses on simple structures and planting systems that improve productivity while making better use of garden space.

Topics include:

• Trellis layout and positioning
• Simple structure options
• Choosing climbing crops
• Seasonal planting ideas
• Airflow and sunlight considerations
• Integrating trellises into kitchen gardens

Week 7 — Building a Banana Circle

Learn how banana circles recycle nutrients and water while producing abundant growth in tropical and subtropical gardens.

This hands-on workshop walks through the process of building and planting a functioning banana circle system.

Topics include:

• Banana circle layout and construction
• Organic matter recycling
• Water capture and retention
• Plant selection and spacing
• Soil building techniques
• Ongoing maintenance basics

Week 8 — Building an Herb Spiral

Learn how herb spirals create diverse growing conditions in a compact and productive space.

This practical workshop focuses on planning, building, and planting a simple herb spiral suitable for home gardens.

Topics include:

• Herb spiral design basics
• Creating microclimates
• Soil and drainage considerations
• Herb selection and placement
• Planting techniques
• Maintaining productive herb systems

Location

Youth Activities Centre (YAC), Byron Bay. A short walk from Byron Bay Main Street, with cafés and amenities nearby.

Investment

$250 per person