Where is the best place to put your hives? How far apart, early morning sun and mid after noon shade, or
early shade and after noon sun? etc. etc. etc.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#locating
In summer I like early morning sun and afternoon shade. In winter I like full sun all day. I try to always have them facing south.
wherever is easiest for you and has sun. The ideal place is where you are most likely to take good care of them and makes life simple.
Where to put bees - out of sight of neighbors or passing traffic. Bees need water and the neighbors swimming pool is not a good place for them to seek it out. Avoid shade - bees can handle the full sun of an Australia summer - but I do have top vents as do most hives in Australia - so they should handle most sunny positions. Face the entrance towards the rising sun - bees get up earlier than most of us. Wind is a damaging factor so keep them protected from chilly blasts.
Good luck with it.
thanks again to all that help!