Learn, Grow & Connect on Sydney's Northern Beaches
Change starts close to home — in your backyard, your school, your street. At Surplus Studio, we believe that education and community are just as important as good design. Whether you want to build your own permaculture skills, transform a garden in a single day, or connect with a growing network of like-minded people on the Northern Beaches, there's a place for you here.
Permaculture Workshops
Our hands-on workshops are designed for curious beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Whether you're hosting a group at your property, organising a session for your school, or joining a community event, we bring the knowledge to you — practical, jargon-free, and grounded in the real conditions of Northern Beaches gardens.
Workshops can be hosted at your property, at a local school or community space, or at a venue we organise on the Northern Beaches. We keep groups small so everyone gets hands-on time and real answers to their questions. Custom sessions for schools, councils and community groups are available on request.
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Discover the ethics and principles behind permaculture design. This is the starting point — perfect for anyone curious about living more sustainably and creating a garden that works with nature. Suitable for all ages and backgrounds.
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Healthy soil is the foundation of everything. Learn how to build a thriving compost system, understand the life beneath your feet, and start feeding your garden the natural way. Includes practical demonstrations.
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Water is our most precious resource. This workshop covers how to read your landscape, slow water flow, and design simple earthworks like swales that keep your garden hydrated through dry Northern Beaches summers — without the irrigation bill.
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We regularly add new workshops based on community interest. Get in touch to ask about a specific topic or to request a custom session for your group, school or organisation.
Permablitz — Community Garden Days
A permablitz is a community garden transformation day. A group of willing volunteers comes together to help a homeowner, school or community space redesign and replant their garden using permaculture principles — in a single day. It's hard work, great fun, and the results are remarkable.
Permablitzes do three things at once: they transform a garden that might otherwise take months to redesign, they build real skills in everyone who participates, and they strengthen the local community by bringing people together around a shared purpose. Every blitz is different — but every blitz leaves something better behind.
How It Works
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A homeowner, school or community group applies to host a blitz. We assess the site together and design a one-day plan that's achievable and meaningful.
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Surplus Studio and Permaculture Northern Beaches coordinate the design, materials and volunteer team. Hosts provide the space — we handle the rest.
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Volunteers arrive, tools in hand. We work together through the day — planting, building, mulching, connecting. By the end, the space is transformed.
Permaculture Northern Beaches
Permaculture Northern Beaches (PNB) is an active local group on Sydney's Northern Beaches working for ecological integrity and assisting people on their pathways to sustainability.
PNB offers a plethora of amazing events and a beautiful community of earth caring people. Visit PNB here.
What’s On Offer
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PNB holds monthly permaculture-related Education Evenings on the last Thursday of each month at Narrabeen Surf Club. Cnr Albert and Ocean St, Narrabeen. Doors open at 7:15 pm. Plenty of parking available. Meetings take place from February to November.
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Permaculture Northern Beaches holds a range of workshops, short courses, film nights, practical garden tours, permabees (working bees), beehive installations, skill-building sessions and more!
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Connect, ask questions and share ideas with local growers and gardeners.
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Want to bring permaculture to your community?
Whether you're interested in a workshop, want to host a permablitz, or just want to learn more — we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch and let's make something happen on the Northern Beaches.
