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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

Guesthouse

T: +61 8 9654 8002
E: guesthouse@newnorcia.com.au

Roadhouse

T: +61 8 9654 8020
E: roadhouse@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

Tuesday, 27th April 2021

Mandorla Exhibition at New Norcia Museum & Art Gallery

Winning and selected works from the Mandorla Art Award are on show at New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery, until Sunday 9 May.

The exhibition was launched on 17th April in the permanent Mandorla section of the Museum and Art Gallery at New Norcia, where the winner of the People’s Choice Award was announced by Abbot John. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the small gathering of 30 enjoyed New Norcia Abbey wines provided by the Benedictine Community and were inspired by interpretative presentations by the winner of the Mandorla Art Award, Britt Mikkelson (WA), the winner of the People’s Choice Award, Desire Ferreira (WA), as well as runner up, Franci Hepburn (WA).

At the conclusion of a short season at New Norcia, the artworks will go on display at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco until 13th June. The winning piece of the Mandorla Art Award, 8200 Souls, will then be permanently housed at New Norcia. Desire who created Oremus, the winner of the People’s Choice Award, has generously agreed to allow her piece to be permanently housed at New Norcia also.

Below is some information about each of the pieces.

Winner, Mandorla Art Award 2021

Britt Mikkelson (WA), the winner of the Mandorla Art Award $25,000 Acquisitive Prize, created her sculptural work, 8200 Souls, to represent the volume of homeless people in Australia. The work consists of a found blanket, shaped to elicit the form of a human body, which has been pierced with 8200 holes, one for each homeless person in Australia. Each hole is highlighted by a series of LED lights shining through them.

Mikkelsen says she is emotionally attached to the work and will be sad to see it go. “However, I am so proud to have created an artwork which sheds light on such an important issue, and moreover to have that work recognised by the judges.”

People’s Choice Award

Oremus by Desire Ferreira depicts a young woman focused in wordless prayer. The limited palette of grey and black is highlighted by a central impression of a cross in red and gold leaf.

Ferreira says she is deeply honoured to receive the Award. "I wanted to create an artwork that would immerse the viewer into a deep encounter with the heart and mind of God and I am pleased to have achieved this. The Award will certainly propel me forward and help me stay inspired and motivated as an artist."

Dr Angela Ryan, Chair of The Mandora Art Award Committee, and new Curator Lyn Di Ciero address the gathering (Photo credit: Jim Longbottom)
Desire Ferreira, with artist and mentor D'hange Yammanee, and Abbot John (Photo credit: Jim Longbottom)