Week 2 - How to Make Compost

Sunday 17th May 2026

with Geoff Lawton

Hands-on Permaculture Workshops

How to Make Compost with Geoff Lawton

Each Sunday, for 8 weeks from the 10th May 2026, a full-day, hands-on permaculture workshop will be held at the Youth Activities Centre (YAC) in Byron Bay.

From 9am – 4pm, 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.

You will 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.

A full-day immersive workshop in a functioning permaculture site.

Workshop Description

Sunday the 17th May is the How to Make Compost workshop. 

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.

Tickets for the workshop are priced at $250 per person *excluding GST

$250.00

40 in stock

MEALS:

We will take two short tea breaks and a 30 minute lunch break (food is not included)

Accommodation

Byron offers a range of accommodation from Luxury hotels, to hostels and camping.

Workshop Times:

9am – 4pm

Workshop Outline
Ingredients

Understanding compost ingredients

 

BALANCE

Carbon and nitrogen balance

 

SOURCE

Sourcing local materials

 

CONSTRUCT

Building a compost pile correctly

MOISTURE

Moisture and airflow basics

MANAGEMENT

Simple compost management techniques

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

Geoff Lawton

Geoff Lawton is the main facilitator for this workshop. He is a Permaculture consultant, designer and teacher. He first took his Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course with Bill Mollison in 1983. He holds a Diploma in Permaculture Education, Design, Implementation, System Establishment, Administration and Community Development given by the founder of Permaculture, Bill Mollison.

Geoff has undertaken thousands of jobs teaching, consulting, designing, administrating and implementing, in 6 continents and close to 50 countries around the world. Clients have included private individuals, groups, communities, governments, aid organizations, non-government organisations and multinational companies.

He has currently educated over 15,000 students in Permaculture worldwide. These include graduates of the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course and courses focused on the practical design of sustainable soil, water, plant, and legal and economic systems.

THE YAC

ABOUT THE LOCATION

This workshop will be taught at the YAC in Byron bay. BYS is a not-for-profit incorporated community association committed to providing services for young people between the ages of 12 -24 years.

The YAC

LOCATION:

This workshop will be held at the Youth Culture Centre in Byron bay, which is located at 1 Gilmore Cres, Byron Bay NSW 2481.

Nearest Airport

Regional: Coolangatta, Ballina
International: Brisbane

Train Station

Casino (with bus service on to Byron Bay)

Bus Stop

Byron Bay Interchange

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