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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

Guesthouse

T: +61 8 9654 8002
E: guesthouse@newnorcia.com.au

Roadhouse

T: +61 8 9654 8020
E: roadhouse@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

Monday, 7th November 2016

Museum Gift Shop wins a Tourism WA/Royalties for Regions Grant

New Norcia is delighted to announce it has been successful in obtaining a Tourism WA / Royalties for Regions grant of $11,350 for upgrades in the Museum and Art Gallery shop and visitor centre. These funds will allow us to paint the walls, restore the wooden floors in the office/store room area, and purchase new shop fittings for the display of merchandise as recommended by the tourism WA consultants who recently assessed the MAG.

The Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant Program, made possible by Tourism Western Australia and Royalties for Regions, is helping visitor centres remain viable in the changing tourism landscape.

Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the investment of $4.2 million over three years recognised the vital role of visitor centres in boosting regional tourism and jobs.

"Research shows travellers tend to spend more time and money in an area when they use a visitor centre," Mr Barnett said.

Projects supported in the latest round include a new design and upgraded technology at Broome Visitor Centre; an internal fit-out at Derby, Aboriginal artwork and seating at Halls Creek, and new signage for the Kununurra Visitor Centre and Argyle Downs Homestead Museum.

"Tourists spent $4.5 billion in regional Western Australia in 2015-16. By offering a warm welcome and a wealth of local knowledge, visitor centres play a vital role in this important industry," the Premier said.

"Overall, visitor centres employ more than 900 local people and inject $117 million into the State's economy annually."

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said more than $1 million was available in the 2016-17 round to assist regional visitor centres throughout the State with sustainability initiatives such as accreditation, renewable energy, on-site attractions, technology and interior redesign.

"Visitor centres have a wealth of local knowledge that help visitors discover the best of what the regions have to offer," Mr Redman said.

"This Royalties for Regions investment contributes to a strengthened and sustainable regional economy through investment in tourism development."

Fact File

  • The funding pool for the 2016-17 Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant Program was $1.05 million
  • Grants between $40,000 and $100,000 were available to accredited visitor centres or local government authorities
  • Applications for the 2017-18 round are expected to open in March 2017
  • For more information, visit http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/otherfunding