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New Norcia Benedictine Community New Norcia Road New Norcia WA 6509
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".
The restoration of an architectural jewel of New Norcia: The 1862 Old Police Station
The old cottage was constructed in 1862 in the time of our founding abbot Rosendo Salvado OSB, typical of the construction of the era, using fieldstones rendered and unrendered and plastered inside using a mud and horsehair mix.
The 1862 Old Police Station
The building is part of the same building phase as the two three-storey monastery buildings and the abbey church, both in 1861.
The cottage was rented by the Governor and occupied by the police.
Later, near the turn of the century, it was the New Norcia Post and Telegraph Office and, at a later date, was occupied by a Mrs Kelly who purportedly ran a guesthouse from the cottage. In recent years it has housed New Norcia employees until sitting vacant for some years now.
There was a vision to refurbish this old jewel of the New Norcia architecture and add it into our accommodation offering, particularly targeting families.
As the certainties of our world become more doubtful and unsure, eighteen women came together on Saturday 7th June at New Norcia to ponder and pray about Christian hope.
Carmel Ross had prepared an extensive programme of prayers, art works, and biblical and spiritual readings, which made us think deeply and uplifted our spirits.
We were particularly enriched by the encouragement of Isaiah 55, and our consideration of the parable of the Sower.
We concurred with Pope Leo's recent homily that Van Gogh's painting of The Sower at Sunset shows that God is generous and that sooner or later his seeds will blossom.
The group of women included women from the parish, and others from as far away as Perth, Dowerin and Moora. Many had been to this annual day of reflection in previous years and expressed their wish to come next year as well. Everyone said how much they appreciated the generous spirit of the women present, which was particularly expressed in the shared lunch.
Roger Works His Magic in the Courtyard
Roger, one of our Accommodation team members has been busy making improvements to the Guesthouse courtyard furniture – a wonderful transformation!
Before
After
Annual lunch for the Moora Lions Club
On a wet and cold Saturday in June we welcomed twenty-one members of the Moora Lions Club to St Ildephonsus’ Dining Room for their annual lunch.
With the heaters on to keep the cold at bay, the guests all enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by Marlon, Kevin and Mel.
Many guests commented that they would like to return in the future for other functions.
Parish Life
On Sunday 22nd June – the feast of Corpus Christi – two young parishioners Lara and Jack Botha-Kelly received their First Holy Communion.
Guided by their parish priest, parents, and older sister Charlize, Lara and Jack prepared to receive the sacrament by working through excellent work books from Liturgy Brisbane.
During the Mass, Fr Robert, as principal celebrant, administered the sacred hosts and Abbot John and Dom Paul, the sacred chalice.
The monks, parishioners and guests enjoyed a festive morning tea in the monastery parlour afterwards.
All three Kelly-Botha children now have a new set of sacramental preparation resources to work through as they prepare to receive the sacrament of confirmation at Pentecost next year.
A Visit from Calingiri Primary School
On Thursday, 26th of June, seven students and three teachers/parent helpers came to New Norcia for a town tour.
The students were wonderful, asking lots of interesting questions. This was also an opportunity for two new team members of the Accommodation department, Daniel and Marie, to learn how to do the town tour.
We look forward to Daniel and Marie leading school town tours in the future.
A Celebration of the life of Brian Stitt
On 19th June Abbot John represented New Norcia at the funeral of our dear long-time friend Brian Stitt.
Brian and his wife Patricia made many retreats at New Norcia with groups from Dayspring.
We are grateful for Brian’s spiritual wisdom and prayerful presence. May he rest in peace.
We Value Your Feedback
At New Norcia, your feedback helps shape a better experience for every visitor. We actively listen through a variety of channels:
Our in-house visitor survey
Reviews on TripAdvisor and WikiCamps
Conversations and comments on Facebook and Instagram
Whether it’s a suggestion, a story, or a snapshot—every bit of feedback helps us grow and improve.
