A beekeeper of 14 years hopes to turn his hobby into a business venture.

Munther Anny has submitted a development application to Wollongong City Council to build an apiary and farm stay accommodation at 24 Denmark Street, Wombarra.

The Villawood resident hopes tourists will stay in the house and learn about beekeeping and honey extraction.

Mr Anny also plans to sell honey, wax, candles and other bee-related products from the apiary.

"There are many sweet parts of beekeeping," he said.

"People can come to visit and extract their own honey, put it in a jar and take it home.

"If people are scared of bees, then by coming to the apiary and getting involved and experiencing bees safely, hopefully I can educate them and break their fears."

The apiary will include different areas for hive construction, maintenance, honey extraction, processing, purification and product display as well as an office, kitchen, toilets and a covered deck area.

Most of the 3.8 hectare site is covered in trees, which is where hives will be placed throughout, allowing people to walk among the bees in the tranquility of nature.

The farm stay will provide temporary and short-term accommodation.

The one-storey house will include three bedrooms, a bathroom, laundry, living and dining rooms and an outdoor deck.

Mr Anny said the accommodation would be designed so a family or couples could stay and visit the apiary to have a hands-on experience in beekeeping and the production of honey-making.

The beekeeper hopes to educate residents about how important the insect is for pollination, the environment and ecosystem as well as the new and old methods of beehive extraction.

Mr Anny said Wombarra was the perfect location for the project as he could attract visitors from Wollongong and Sydney.

"This project will help develop the area more and add an extra attraction point for visitors," he said.

Mr Anny hopes the apiary and accommodation are the first steps in his larger vision for the project.

The application will be on public exhibition until January 20.

NOVEMBER 27 2019 - 1:59PM Illiawarra Mercury   Ashleigh Tullis