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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

  • Oct 12 2024

    One-Day Retreat

    St. Benedict’s Model of Leadership

    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.

    Find out more

  • Sep 28 2024

    Concert

    Masterpieces of Russian Piano Music

    Masterpieces of Russian Piano Music

    This soiree will feature a selection of music by Russian composers and performers, including Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Rubenstein, Rachmaninoff and many others.

    Find out more

  • Sep 14 2024

    One-Day Workshop

    Moving On—Dealing with Loss, Pain and Separation

    This one-day retreat will focus on equipping oneself spiritually to move on from darkness into light and from fear to hope, and to find God’s grace at work even in the most heartbreaking events of life.

    Find out more

  • Aug 23 2024
    to
    Aug 25 2024

    Weekend Retreat

    Monk Mode—Applying Monastic Principles to Everyday Life

    The principles of monastic life include commitment, perseverance, patience, and self-discipline. These are values which run counter to our mainstream culture, where self-indulgence, distraction, and rush are very much the norm...

    Find out more

  • Aug 17 2024

    Abbot’s Table: Winter 2024

    Abbot’s Table: Winter 2024

    In 2021 a series of seasonal dinners in the French tradition was offered and we are pleased to announce the date for the second dinner in 2024, to be held at the grand old New Norcia Hostel.

    Find out more

  • Aug 9 2024
    to
    Aug 11 2024

    Weekend Retreat

    An Inner Pilgrimage with Hildegard

    For Hildegard, divine Wisdom is expressed in cosmic creation, and every aspect of human existence is indicative of God’s plan. How can we recognize God working in our lives? This weekend retreat consists of introductions, silence, music and reflection.

    Find out more

  • Aug 3 2024

    Concert

    Fr Robert Nixon, OSB Music from the Movies

    Fr Robert Nixon, OSB Music from the Movies

    This soiree will feature a selection of musical masterpieces from the movies, ranging from epic neoclassical pieces to unforgettable popular songs, taken from movies including The Piano, Titanic and Top Gun.

    Find out more

  • Jul 26 2024
    to
    Jul 28 2024

    Weekend Retreat

    An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin

    Since the very beginning of the Roman Catholic Church, Latin has been its principal language for spiritual and theological literature, as well as for the celebration of the liturgy...

    Find out more

  • Jul 13 2024

    One-Day Workshop

    Hildegard—Her Art and Healing

    Hildegard of Bingen was a very talented woman, gifted with almost endless creativity. Her innovative music and illuminations are amongst the most beautiful in the history of Christianity...

    Find out more

  • Jun 28 2024
    to
    Jun 30 2024

    Weekend Retreat

    Letting Go

    As we journey through life, we are in a continual process of ‘letting go’, in many different ways. This letting go can be the result of the loss of loved ones, of the process of aging, of relationship changes, and families growing up, etc...

    Find out more