-
Thursday, 16th March 2023
Guesthouse Updates
The Guesthouse has been a hive of activity as guests return after the hot season. Guesthouse Manager, Bernadette Nuske, offers some updates and advice on how to book for retreats and the Easter celebrations.
-
Thursday, 2nd March 2023
The Chimes - March 2023
Our March newsletter is packed with news of summer events, the rebirth of the Abbey Press, remembering Spanish Benedictine monks, and insights into the good people who work here and in our region.
-
Tuesday, 28th February 2023
Moving Heritage Farm Equipment for Safe Storage
Determined to salvage the heritage farm equipment from the old New Norcia farm, two intrepid Grounds men worked wonders to get the old machinery into safe storage.
-
Tuesday, 28th February 2023
Books in the Guesthouse
The Monastery Guesthouse has two spots specifically for book lovers: the upstairs Reading Room and the books for sale in the Guesthouse lounge. Here we review four books from the lounge.
-
Tuesday, 28th February 2023
Giving Young People Work Opportunities
New Norcia employs young people to enhance the town operations, while also providing important work skills.
-
Tuesday, 28th February 2023
Farewell to the Pines
Kennedy's Trees was contracted to remove 15 aging and tired trees in the town centre next to the Abbey Church.
-
Tuesday, 28th February 2023
Journey to Gingin
Director of Visitor Services, Carmel Murray, and Groups Accommodation Manager, Joyce McKee, wandered over to Gingin recently to survey the turf of a regional partner.
-
Tuesday, 28th February 2023
Our Wonderful Volunteers - John & Nicole Ogilvie
Along with Staff Focus, we're going to share some stories from our amazing volunteers. This month we hear from John and Nicole Ogilvie who have been coming to New Norcia for nearly twenty years.
-
Tuesday, 28th February 2023
Staff Focus: Helly Kerr
This month we highlight another member of our wonderful staff, Helly Kerr, who works in Groups Accommodation.
-
Tuesday, 28th February 2023
Rebirth of the Abbey Press
Claire and David Bolton have spearheaded a project to renovate the old monastery press. After years of work, the Abby Press is functioning yet again, and is a hidden treasure of New Norcia's printing past.
Contact Us
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
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".