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New Norcia Benedictine Community New Norcia Road New Norcia WA 6509
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".
Last month, on Friday 4th October, 110 family and friends gathered to witness and celebrate the marriage of Isabella Clune and Wyatt Verhoogt.
The marriage ceremony, presided over by Abbot John, took place in the popular wedding venue of St Ildephonsus’ chapel which was adorned with beautifully designed flower arrangements…how handy it is to have a family member as a florist. While the stunning bride and handsome groom took ‘centre-stage’, the six young flower girls and page boys made every effort to steal the show.
Guests stayed overnight in every accommodation venue New Norcia has to offer, and enjoyed a cooked breakfast in St Ild’s dining room the next morning…it’s amazing what bacon and eggs can do for the after effects of such a great occasion!
Thank you to Hannah from Keeper Creative for the amazing photography.
Pastoral visit to St Mark's Abbey Camperdown
Abbot John made a quick trip to Victoria on October 6-11th to pay a pastoral visit to St Mark’s Abbey Camperdown, meeting with Sr Raphael, James the community solicitor, and the committee.
Abbot Josh anointing John and Jennifer Date
It was a productive visit, and it was good to see recent developments such as the establishment of a gathering space overlooking the lake, and the building of a dry-stone wall to enclose the monastery cemetery.
The visit included spontaneous participation in the local parish council meeting and a beautiful dinner (the table set with all manner of finery) at parish priest Fr Andrew’s rectory, the home of the community before it settled on the present site.
Along with Joe Naccarata (Comwalls) and Jo Umbers (formerly Cornwalls), he then went on to visit John Date and his wife Jennifer, blessing their new rooms at Kew Gardens and anointed them. John has done a lot of pro-bono legal work for New Norcia over the years.
The trip provided a perfect opportunity for Abbot John to visit his mother with a bunch of flowers for her 90th birthday. Not having to move far, she is now happily settled into the nursing home directly opposite her unit.
Construction of a dry-stone wall at St Mark’s Camperdown
Abbot John with his mother Dorothy and brother Paul
Town renovation works
The Maintenance Workshop roof
The 60+ year old roof had a few too many holes, and was replaced during the month by Top Gun Roofing.
Happily most all of the roof purlins were in good condition and did not need replacing. We should be in great shape now for the next 100 years!
The Old Trading Post
Renovation work of the Old Trading Post building, between the Visitor Centre and the Roadhouse/Salvado Café, has been ongoing for several months now.
It is set to become the home of the Mandorla artworks and to house resident artists from time to time. Works proceed in an ordered manner orchestrated by Ian Smith our Property Manager. The latest of these involved a week of expert earth works, block laying and asphalt works, all undertaken by Pave-Mix who are bitumen paving and earthwork specialists.
Notice of Change to Monastic Horarium
Compline Monday – Friday will be celebrated at 8.00pm
Anticipated Sunday Vigils on Saturday night will be celebrated at 8.00pm
Effective from Monday 2nd December 2024
Monday to Saturday
4.45am
Rise
5.00am
Vigils Breakfast /Private Prayer
6.30am
Lauds
7.30am*
Conventual Mass (in Monastery Oratory) Breakfast/Free Time
Four Divine Will Sisters from Italy and the USA passed through on their way to give retreats in Chittering, enjoying a night in the guesthouse, tours of monastery and town, and prayers, Mass and a meal with the monks.
Welcome Todd Mawdesley
Todd is our new Roadhouse/Salvado Café manager.
Todd is a Perth, south of the river man, hailing from the Wellard area.
He has a wonderfully varied background, starting his working life as a trained phlebotomist with the Red Cross. This led to other allied health roles when he worked “on the mines” as an emergency paramedic and then to working in the Occupational Health and Safety area.
He has Roadhouse management in his blood, following in the footsteps of his Mum who sadly passed recently.
Todd has moved here with his partner Noren, dog Archie (chihuahua/Maltese cross) and cat Oreo. (Oreo refuses to be defined by a breed, preferring to dominate the house).
Todd and Ren have come to experience different things, find new challenges and explore new horizons.
Todd says
“I’m loving it so far, I had a few rough days, but I have a great staff who all pull together and want the very best for the Roadhouse café."
The Abbot's Table & Musical Soirée SOLD OUT
The Abbot’s Table: Spring 16th November 2024
The Abbot's Table: Spring is now sold out. Keep an eye out for the summer edition which will be taking place in late February 2025.
Musical Soirée with Father Robert Nixon OSB 16th December 2024
The Musical Soirée with Father Robert Nixon is now sold out. Keep an eye out for the next concert which will take place in early March 2025.
New Norcia Retreat and Study Programme for 2025 now available
We are very pleased to announce that the programme for New Norcia’s retreats and courses are now available for 2025.
On offer is a series of varied events focusing on Benedictine spirituality, meditation, and the cultivation of inner peace and freedom. As well as our customary weekend retreats, a number of one-day options is also available.
Our weekend and one-day retreats are an opportunity to step back from the usual concerns of life into a setting of tranquility and reflection, and to absorb the ancient wisdom of our monastic tradition. Participants are encouraged to book well in advance, as events are often fully booked.
Weekend Pre-Lent Retreat - Uncluttering our Lives and Hearts
For forty days before commencing His public ministry, Jesus retreated into the desert, fasting and living a life of absolute simplicity.
In imitation of this example, the forty days of Lent should be for Christians a time of consciously uncluttering our lives and heart, and freeing ourselves from all the extraneous baggage and complexities which hold us back from the freedom and simplicity to which God is calling us. This weekend retreat will prepare participants for a fruitful and effective Lenten experience.
