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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".
On Saturday 31st January, we rejoiced with the Clune and Verghoot families as Isabella and Wyatt presented their first child, Charlotte, for the Sacrament of Baptism.
There was a small moment of confusion to begin the day — the family gathered at St Ild’s Chapel (where Isabella and Wyatt were married), while Abbot John was waiting at the Abbey Church. Thankfully, our ever-reliable weekend Grounds and Maintenance man, Bob, came to the rescue and helped ensure everyone arrived at the right place.
Once reunited at the Abbey Church, the celebration unfolded beautifully. It was a joy-filled occasion, marked by warm smiles, prayerful reflection, and — to everyone’s delight — not a single tear from baby Charlotte. Following the ceremony, Abbot John warmly invited the family to enjoy a tour of the monastery, adding a special touch to an already memorable day.
The following Saturday, the Abbey Church once again welcomed family and friends as the Birkle family gathered for the baptism of Eleanor Louise Birkle, celebrated by Fr Robert. It was another blessed and happy occasion for our community, as we continue to share in these important milestones of faith and family life.
January brought Abbot John two poignant farewells, each a reminder of the quiet but lasting ways lives become woven together through faith and service.
On January 22nd, Abbot John travelled to Bunbury to assist at the funeral of Nathan (Nook) James. Twenty-one years ago, Abbot John had presided at Nook's marriage to Jillian while serving as parish priest of Dardanup — one of those joyful occasions that marks the beginning of a shared story. In the years that followed, that story continued at New Norcia, where he baptised their children. To walk with a family through such milestones, and then to farewell them at the last, is one of the most profound privileges of priestly life.
After spending the long weekend with John and Nicole Ogilvie, Abbot John travelled to Melbourne for the funeral of John Date OAM — a man whose generosity shaped New Norcia in ways that will endure long after his passing. As a partner at Cornwalls, the community's legal advisors, John gave considerable pro-bono support during New Norcia's significant transition from an incorporated association to a company. His quiet dedication to religious communities across Australia was recognised with both an OAM and a Papal Knighthood — honours well deserved by a man who served so faithfully and so humbly.
We thank God for the presence of both these men in our lives, and commend them to His mercy. May they rest in peace.
On his way to the airport, Abbot John stopped to visit his mother Dorothy in her nursing home — and found her, happily, in wonderful spirits and beautifully cared for. A devoted reader of The Chimes, Dorothy is very much part of our extended community. It was a moment of real joy amid a week of farewells.
Nathan James (Left) and John Date OAM (Right)
Cooking with gas
Matt from Avon Valley Plumbing and Gas
After years of faithful but increasingly unreliable service, the hostel kitchen's venerable 'medieval' stove has finally been retired — and the upgrade has been well worth the wait.
The kitchen now boasts a brand new Moffat Blue Seal six-burner stove with oven, a chargrill, and a sleek new stainless-steel bench.
All equipment was sourced through Caterlink and expertly installed by Matt from Avon Valley Plumbing and Gas.
As for the Abbot, who is known to moonlight as guest chef at the hostel, the verdict is simple — he is very happy indeed.
Christmas at New Norcia
Dom Daniel
The Benedictine Community, local parishioners and visiting guests gathered for beautifully prepared liturgies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — with Fr Robert at his finest, and a little something from Santa for the children present.
The monks and Sr Hilda were delighted to host a long-table Christmas lunch for local friends and the hardworking backpackers who kept New Norcia running through the busy season. Dom Daniel's elaborately dressed table did not disappoint — marinated prawns, dhufish, roasted beef fillet, duck breast, glazed ham, cherry cheesecake and traditional pudding, all enjoyed in the hostel bar, which locals will know houses the finest air-conditioning in town. Santa made an appearance here too.
Studies Day 2026 – Monks and Music
Saturday 23rd May.
This popular event returns for 2026 and will be held in the beautiful chapel of St Gertrude’s College.
Our speakers this year include Judith McGuinness, former Abbot Placid Scholar, who will bring us up to date on the last of the Santos Salvado letters written following his return to Spain in 1868.
Our new 2026 Scholar, Paul Watt, who is the Adjunct Professor of Music at Adelaide University, will speak about the history of music at New Norcia, while Allegra Giagu, our current Scholar and whom many of you will remember from her wonderful performances with Fr Robert Nixon, will give us her paper on Salvado’s music. Abbot John will join them to bring you up to date on the various restoration works that have been completed and plans for the future.
Finally, we are delighted to launch another book in the Abbey Press series: The Griver Letters – a joint project between New Norcia Archives and the Catholic Archdiocese Archives. Sarah Connor, who translated the letters but who lives in Mexico, will give a short speech about the book via a pre-recorded presentation.
Costs are $100 per person ($85 for pensioners and students) which includes morning and afternoon teas and lunch in St Ildephonsus’ College dining room.
New Norcia Retreat and Study Programme for 2026 now available
We are very pleased to announce that the programme for New Norcia’s retreats and courses are now available for 2026.
On offer is a series of varied events focusing on Benedictine spirituality, meditation, and the cultivation of inner peace and freedom. As well as our customary weekend retreats, a number of one-day options is also available.
Our weekend and one-day retreats are an opportunity to step back from the usual concerns of life into a setting of tranquility and reflection, and to absorb the ancient wisdom of our monastic tradition. Participants are encouraged to book well in advance, as events are often fully booked.
Please visit the New Norcia online giftshop to book any retreats or study programmes: New Norcia Shop
Weekend Retreat: March 6-8, 2026
Lenten Retreat - blessed are the pure of heart (Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB)
For forty days before commencing His public ministry, Jesus retreated into the desert, fasting and living a life of absolute simplicity. In imitation of this example, the forty days of Lent should be for Christians a time of consciously uncluttering our lives and heart, and freeing ourselves from all the extraneous baggage and complexities which hold us back from the freedom and simplicity to which God is calling us. This weekend retreat will assist participants identify practical and effective ways of simplifying and uncluttering their lives and heart.
Prayer - Connection with the God who knows you (Sr. Hilda Scott, OSB)
This retreat will be a gentle day allowing us to wander through our own connections with God and the many ways in which He connects with us, as we are in the here and now. That connection is “prayer” and as there are so many and varied ways to say “I love you”, there are that many ways to pray, to connect with God and He with you. Prayer it is that brings meaning and sustenance to our lives in all weathers, indeed “More things are wrought by prayer than this world ever dreams” said the English poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Benedictine secrets for balance and serenity (Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB & Sr. Hilda Scott, OSB )
The Benedictine way of life is recognized for its promotion of balance and serenity, and the flourishing of the Order of St. Benedict for over 1,500 years is clear testimony to this reality. This weekend retreat will unlock for participants the secret wisdom of St. Benedict, for achieving a sustainable life of balance and serenity.
