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Address

New Norcia Benedictine Community
New Norcia Road
New Norcia WA 6509

Getting There


Main Office

T: +61 8 9654 8018
F: +61 8 9654 8097
E: information@newnorcia.com.au

Friends of New Norcia / Volunteering

T: +61 8 9654 8018
E: friends@newnorcia.com.au

Museum & Art Gallery

T: +61 8 9654 8056
E: museum@newnorcia.com.au

Group Accommodation & Education Centre

T: +61 8 9654 8018
E: groups@newnorcia.com.au

Communications

T: +61 8 9654 8018
E: communications@newnorcia.com.au

Visit New Norcia

People visit New Norcia for many reasons; for spiritual retreat, to join a tour and see inside the magnificent buildings or sometimes just to walk around the town and enjoy the peace and beautiful scenery.

In this section you will find all the information you need for your visit to New Norcia. Details of places to eat and places to stay, details of the town tours and information about some of our favourite things to do in Australia’s only monastic town.

We recommend your first port of call is the Museum & Art Gallery to speak to one of the staff about the attractions and experiences New Norcia has to offer. The Museum & Art Gallery is also a Visitor Information Centre and is the point from which town tours leave.

Stay at New Norcia

There are so many different options for accommodation at New Norcia.

The Guesthouse is perfect for a quiet, retreat like experience - a world away from the rigours of modern life. You can join a Benedictine retreat here or be housed in the Hermitage for a silent retreat. Groups can be accommodated in the Old Convent or the historic boarding school colleges. Smaller groups are also able to book the Hostel, with its comfortable rooms, neo-classical architecture, scenic deck and heritage veranda, as well as St Ildephonsus' Cottage.

Please click on the areas on the right for more information.

Eat & Drink

Hospitality is a tenet of the Rule of St Benedict, the Rule by which the monks of New Norcia live, so wherever you choose to eat in town, our aim is for you to experience warm monastic hospitality.

Education & Research

From the earliest days of its foundation New Norcia has been focussed on education. The first Abbot, of New Norcia (Rosendo Salvado) established the Aboriginal girls and boys schools and the second Abbot of New Norcia, Fulgentius Torres built and opened the European girls and boys schools, which closed in 1991.

Since the closing of the schools, New Norcia's school buildings and grounds have been utilised by groups undertaking education programmes.

However, New Norcia also has a tradition of research and academia, with its impressive archival records and library collection, and scholars and researchers alike have delighted over the years in the information available in the town's records.

This section also provides information on the archives and library and provides link to forms which will give you access to the records of New Norcia.

Protecting a Unique Heritage

New Norcia is Australia’s only monastic town and has a unique heritage. Founded in 1847 by Spanish Benedictine Monks, the town has had many purposes; a mission, a monastery, a provider of education and now as a place of spiritual retreat.

Delve into the town's unique history, discover the ongoing and completed work necessary for the upkeep and restoration of this special part of Australia.

But it is not only the majestic buildings set amongst the Australian bush that sets New Norcia apart; its history is also encapsulated in the archival records of New Norcia and in the library and museum collections.

In this section we also have information about how you can donate to New Norcia to help the Community restore and maintain this treasure.

What's Happening at New Norcia

We hold a diverse array of events throughout the year at New Norcia.

Each year we host a full programme of events including a spiritual retreat programme presented by the Institute for Benedictine Studies, dinners at the New Norcia Hostel and a few other surprises!

Watch this space for all the updated information about "What's on at New Norcia".

News

Abbot’s Table: Spring 2023 Booked Out

Date: Saturday, 18th November 2023
Time: 6pm
Location: New Norcia Hostel
Price: $180, all inclusive
Tickets:

For more information, or to book, please visit our webshop.

Abbot’s Table: Spring 2023

On 10 October 2020, Abbot John donned a kitchen apron to share his former life as a chef, working in some of Melbourne’s finest award- winning restaurants of the 1980s. In 2021 & 2022 a series of seasonal dinners in the French tradition were offered and booked out well in advance.

We are pleased to announce the date for the last dinner in 2023, to be held at the grand old New Norcia Hostel:

‘La Table de l’Abbé’
The Abbot’s Table
SPRING: Saturday 18 November 2023

While monastic life may seem to be in stark contrast to the restaurant scene, it is the spirit of hospitality which is at the heart of them both. Monastic life – and indeed, cooking – are about being in tune with, and having respect for, the rhythm, balance and produce of the seasons.

This series celebrates a set four-course menu of fresh seasonal produce and showcase New Norcia wood-fired bakery products, olive oil, Abbey Ale and Abbey wines, to be shared with family and friends – or strangers – in this special place, a town like no other.

In the spirit of community, guests will sit together at long tables throughout the venue.

  • Pre-dinner drinks begin at 6.00 p.m.
  • All-inclusive dinner: $180 per person
  • When booking, please notify us of any special dietary requirements

** Accommodation is available for this event. To book the Guesthouse please contact Bernadette on 9654 8002 or guesthouse@newnorcia.com.au; or to book the Hostel or Old Convent please contact Joyce on 9654 8018 or groups@newnorcia.com.au.

** For group bookings: please list the name of each group member attending in the notes section of your order. Thank you.

Cancellation Policy:

  • Event ticket cancelled 7 days prior to the event - full refund
  • Event ticket cancelled within 7 days of the event - 50% refund
For more information:

For more information, or to book, please visit our webshop.

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