Contact Us

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

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

Reduced operations – January 2027: Please note that for the month of January 2027, New Norcia will scale back its operations. Click here to find out more.

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".

Careers

Corpus Christi College Visit

On the morning of Friday 2nd August, 40 students and staff from Corpus Christi College walked into New Norcia after three days of completing the Salvado Camino Walk from Subiaco to New Norcia.

Despite battling hail, rain and wind along the way, they were greeted with beautiful blue skies on Friday morning as they walked up to the Abbey Church. Dom Daniel welcomed them with ringing bells and a beautiful, meaningful welcome talk.

Students and teachers then had a look through the Museum and Art Gallery, followed by lunch at St Ildephonsus’ College. This was followed by Midday Prayers with the monks before they departed for home for a well deserved rest.

Fr Anscar’s Diamond Jubilee

On the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (16th July) a gathering of family and friends from near and far joined the monastic community to celebrate Fr Anscar’s Diamond Jubilee of priestly ordination.

In Abbot John’s absence Fr Robert was Principal Celebrant, and Fr David (another Diamond Jubilarian) was the homilist. As usual, staff from across the site hosted a very fine celebratory lunch in St Ild’s dining room.

We give thanks for Fr Anscar’s sixty years of priestly ministry and assure him of our prayers.

Art And Prayer - A Retreat for Artists

The Benedictine Community of New Norcia and The Mandorla Art Award Committee invite you to a gentle weekend of quiet reflection and artistic exploration in the tranquil rural setting of Australia’s only monastic town.

Along with participating in the daily rhythm of monastic life, sessions will include talks on art and prayer, the interpretation of religious art, shared discussion…and time for silence and solitude to hear the still voice of God speaking to your creative spirit.

Participants are asked to contribute $360, which includes two nights’ accommodation, all meals, as well as admission to the Museum and Art Gallery.

Bookings via New Norcia’s webshop: newnorcia.com.au

For those who can’t afford it, participation by donation can be arranged by contacting: john.herbert@newnorcia.com.au

Oblate’s Vow Renewal - 15th July

To the backdrop of the gorgeous St George’s Anglican Cathedral in Perth, a good number of oblates of the Benedictine Abbey of the Most Holy Trinity, New Norcia and oblates of the Benedictine Abbey of St Marks, Camperdown were invited to renew our vows as oblates, led by Father Robert Nixon OSB from our community in New Norcia.

Fr Robert joined the Rev Steve Hilton SCP and Rev Stuart Good at the 5:00pm Evensong service at St George’s Cathedral.

New Norcia Price Increases

Like all businesses and individuals, New Norcia has not been immune from the recent cost of living price increases impacting all Australians following the slow economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the pandemic and the end of the Governments' Job-Keeper support, New Norcia held its fees and charges stable for a number of years, absorbing a large range of supplier price increases.

Unfortunately, The Community is no longer able to fully absorb the continuing cost of operating the New Norcia site without passing on some of these cost increases by way of guest price rises.

Whilst some guests have complained about the price increases, other guests and visitors have understood that the New Norcia prices have been unchanged for many years and accept that price increases in the current inflationary environment are necessary.

As New Norcia receives no regular or recurring funding from any other parties, the recent CPI wage increase along with increases in power, fuel, catering and other operational expenses has resulted in the recent modest price increases that have been experienced by recent guests staying at New Norcia.

Orchard Pruning

During July Stephen Douglas and Jacob Beattie came to New Norcia to prune fruit trees and the grape vines.

Stephen and Douglas have been faithfully offering this service to the Benedictine community for years now, and the community really appreciate it. Our two pruners also appreciate being very much a part of the team with Doms Daniel and Paul along with the town gardener, Chris.

A job well done!

Music from the Movies

Fr Robert’s Soirée on Saturday, 3rd of August was filled with excitement as staff and guests were encouraged to dress up to match the theme of the night – Music from the Movies.

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Maria from the Sound of Music, Where’s Wally and Remy the Chef Mouse from Ratatouille all made an appearance as well as the Blues Brothers, the Pink Lady from Grease and the Fonz from Happy Days!

Masterpieces of Russian Piano Music

Musical Soirée with Father Robert Nixon OSB - 28th September, at the New Norcia Hostel.

The performance will commence at 6.30pm.
A light supper and drinks will be served.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Russia produced a rich flowering of composers and performers, including Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Rubenstein, Rachmaninoff and many others.

Their music drew upon the styles & achievements of Western Europe and added a distinctly Russian influence of technical discipline and emotion.

This soirée will present the greater masterpieces of Russian piano music, as well as works which remain little known in the West.

Tickets are $100, all inclusive.

Book now

A Camino Welcome for Holy Cross College Students.

On the afternoon of Friday, 9th August, Dom Daniel welcomed 100 Year 12 students from Holy Cross College for a Camino Welcome.

Holy Cross students complete the Camino walk from Subiaco to New Norcia in 6 stages, one stage each year from Year 7 to Year 12. On Friday they completed the final stage and walked into New Norcia to the ringing of bells. Many parents, grandparents and siblings also made the trek up to New Norcia to welcome the students as they arrived. Following a beautiful welcome by Dom Daniel in the Abbey Church, the students, teachers and families enjoyed an afternoon tea in St Ildephonsus’ Arcades.

Birthday Celebrations at New Norcia

Bobbie's 85th

High tea birthday celebrations were in full swing for long time local Bobbie Hunt at the New Norcia Hostel.

Bobbie gathered with her sisters, daughters, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters for a ladies day only 85th birthday event .

The spectacular arrangement of fine china, silverware, and linen, accompanied by freshly homemade delights from the New Norcia Roadhouse as well as fresh hot scones baked by Abbot John had everyone buzzing with excitement.

It was a lovely day spent sipping champagne and with great conversation.

Terry's 80th

On 22nd June, Terry Murray celebrated his 80th birthday with an intimate group of 35 family members.

They were spoilt for choice with a delicious buffet lunch, while toasting Terry’s 80 years of life stories at the New Norcia Hostel bar.

The family were very thankful for the hospitality that the staff showed to make their day a very special one.

One Day Retreat St Benedict’s Model of Leadership

12th October 2024 - $120.00

The Rule of St. Benedict presents a dynamic and balanced model of leadership which is responsive, flexible, and focused, and which promotes both individual and communal flourishing. This one-day retreat will explore the principles of Benedictine leadership, and look at how they can be applied to our business and personal lives to create success and harmony.

The cost includes lunch at the monastery guesthouse and entry into the Museum and Art Gallery.

PLEASE NOTE: online bookings for this close on Monday 7th October. For bookings after this date please call the New Norcia Guesthouse on (08) 9654 8002 to ensure accommodation is still available.

Book online or call the New Norcia Guesthouse on (08) 9654 8002.

Book now