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Notice to all visitors
Reduced operations: January 2027 only
Please note that for the month of January 2027, New Norcia will be scaling back its operations.
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The Chimes - July 2026 Vol. 26 No.5
This July, New Norcia bottled a bumper olive harvest, sent archive music on its way to the Hunter Valley, welcomed visiting students and ambulance volunteers, and paused, with Sister Hilda, among the roses to reflect on letting go.
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Studies Day 2026
Join us on Friday, Oct 2nd for our historic 30th Studies Day! The programme features papers on the Salvado letters, New Norcia restorations, Bishop Griver, and musical history. Tickets ($85-$100) include meals, free museum entry, and a printing demo.
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The Chimes - June 2026 Vol. 26 No.4
This issue features a beautiful reflection on New Norcia's historic doorways, celebrates a First Holy Communion and the conclusion of a six-year Camino pilgrimage, and brings you our photography competition results and all upcoming events for July 2026!
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The Chimes - May 2026 Vol. 26 No.3
This issue marks a joyful Confirmation and April wedding celebration, Fr David welcomed in Glendalough and four new faces welcomed in New Norcia. Along with the olive harvest commencing, we will share what's been happening at the Mandorla Art Gallery.
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The Chimes - March 2026 Vol. 26 No.2
This issue celebrates Dom Anthony's Simple Profession, welcomes new faces at the Hostel, bids farewell to two wonderful backpackers, and brings you Abbey Press news, a new sculpture and all the upcoming events for April 2026!
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The Chimes - February 2026 Vol. 26 No.1
This issue features the joy of two baptisms at the Abbey, farewells to faithful friends, Christmas celebrations and a kitchen upgrade, plus upcoming events including Great Piano Concertos, the Easter Triduum, Abbot's Table and Studies Day 2026!
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The Chimes - December 2025 Vol. 25 No. 8
This issue features a reflection on retreats and music, works on the monastery, fire risk mitigation, an interesting discovery from the archives, photography competition 2026 announcement plus upcoming events for 2026!
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The Chimes - October 2025 Vol. 25 No. 7
This issue features Library Lecture Day, the return of the Homoeopaths, the opening of the Mandorla Art Gallery, New Norcia’s olive oil award, a new Abbey Press release, and the 2026 Abbot Placid Scholar announcement, plus upcoming events and community news.
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The Chimes - September 2025 Vol. 25 No. 6
This issue highlights Ian Smith’s retirement, monastery repainting, the welcome of Sr Hilda Scott, a special furniture donation, the Marsá Diary launch, olive grove care, community celebrations, and upcoming events.
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".