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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

The hidden God whom we seek

On Sunday 22nd September, we were pleased to welcome our dear friend and oblate Chief Justice Peter Quinlan, who served as retreat master for the annual monastic community retreat.

Aware of Peter’s theological/philosophical grounding, and his deep spirituality (nourished in the past thirteen years by the monastic tradition) Abbot John invited him to give the retreat, the first time someone other than a priest or religious has done so in the history of the New Norcia community. Our small community was enriched with the presence of Sr Raphael Stone OSB, Sr Lilian Bong SJA, and our resident volunteers Jim and Chris. Our friends Chris, Phil and Jason also sat in on a few sessions during the week of silent reflection.

Drawing on the Scriptures, the Rule of St Benedict, the Divine Office, his favourite authors such as Flannery O’Connor, and his own personal and professional experience, Peter offered two conferences each day on the theme ‘The hidden God whom we seek.’ It was a very contemplative retreat full of wisdom and insight. In this present time in which the church is focusing on Synodality – a time of attentive listening to all members of the Body of Christ – the retreat was indeed a profound example of ‘synodality in action.’

We kept the tradition of ending the retreat silence with a ‘picnic day’ at the conclusion of this special time in the monastic year, enjoying a lovely lunch together at the Victoria Hotel in Toodyay.

Words of Encouragement from Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Christianity has a rich tradition of pilgrims spending time in the desert in search of a deeper spirituality. In many ways, entering the solitude of the New Norcia environment provides such an experience. There is peace here, tranquillity, a sense of engaging with a different, deeper, reality. The possibility of refreshment resides here, of re-calibrating a life that is far too often harassed by busyness, urgency, and turmoil. Residing at New Norcia for a few days clears the mind, steadies the heart, enables the body to rest. A stay at New Norcia is highly recommended therapy for any weary pilgrim!

Richard B.

Wonderful, tranquil place to stay. The food was delicious and plentiful, the beds were comfy, rooms air conditioned and the showers hot! Together with the bird song and peace, these make New Norcia the perfect get away for a weary soul.

Jody B.

Our annual retreats and ‘getting away from the noise of the city’ is, for me, one of the highlights of the year. I did enjoy the New Norcia bread, red wine, and delicious nourishing food served generously to us during the retreat. There is a reverence about New Norcia which I love. The serenity, the surrounds, the monks chanting the Psalms, Fr Robert’s music in the church (demonstrating the sound and quality of the organ brought out from Europe many years ago) enhanced by the acoustics of the building was extremely moving...
And it was lovely to have the companionship and presence of others, even though we were part of a Silent Retreat.

Evelyn I.

Art and Prayer - A Retreat for Artists

The Benedictine Community of New Norcia and The Mandorla Art Award Committee invite you to a gentle weekend of quiet reflection and artistic exploration in the tranquil rural setting of Australia’s only monastic town.

Along with participating in the daily rhythm of monastic life, sessions will include talks on art and prayer, the interpretation of religious art, shared discussion…and time for silence and solitude to hear the still voice of God speaking to your creative spirit.

Participants are asked to contribute $360, which includes two nights’ accommodation, all meals, as well as admission to the Museum and Art Gallery.

Bookings via New Norcia’s webshop: newnorcia.com.au

For those who can’t afford it, participation by donation can be arranged by contacting: john.herbert@newnorcia.com.au.

Desire - Leschenaultia Macrantha

And yet, if our Earth needed to
she could weave us together like roses
and make of us a garland

Rainer Maria Rilke

speak to me of wreaths, those garland
set like gardens in colours of rose-pink
and red, when light seeps in
curls your head onto my breast

speak to me of words
set in garland rounds
when sun throws shade
to early afternoon

speak to me of colour
woven leschenaultia flowers
garlands, rare and utterly deceiving
appearing wanton on sandy plains

clasped in Spring’s gathering arms

Rose van Son

New Kitchenette at the Hostel

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our guest services so, late August, just in time for the guests who attended the last Abbot’s Table, our very innovative team imagined the conversion of a bottom floor storeroom into a kitchenette and, equal to the task, our very talented Grounds and Maintenance team created the kitchenette.

The facility is a great success and allows guests to better serve their own breakfast, and access tea and coffee facilities as they desire.

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
9.00am Work
12.00pm Angelus
Lectio Divina/Silent Prayer
Midday Prayer
Silent Lunch (with reading)
Recreation
1.30pm Siesta
2.30pm Afternoon Prayer (followed by rosary on Mondays)
2.45pm Work
4.15pm Afternoon Tea/Free Time
5.45pm Lectio Divina/Quiet Time
6.25pm Statio
6.30pm Vespers
Silent Tea (with reading and music)
News/Free Time
8.00pm** Lectio Divina/Silent Prayer
Compline
Great Silence (until 8.00 a.m.)
Sunday
5.45am
Rise
6.00am Lauds
Breakfast/Private Prayer
8.45am Confessions
9.00am Conventual Mass (in church)
12.00pm Angelus
Lectio Divina/Silent Prayer
Midday Prayer
Silent Lunch (with reading)
Recreation
1.30pm Siesta
4.15pm Afternoon Tea
5.30pm Vespers (in church)
6.30pm Silent Tea (with music)
7.30pm Compline
TV – Otherwise Great Silence (until 8.00 a.m.)

A Classy Country Wedding

On Friday 4th October one-hundred-and-ten 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.

After the ceremony, drinks and canapes were enjoyed in the open-air arcades at the rear of the college, followed by a festive banquet in a spectacular marquee set up on the lawn area in the Education Centre, which was serviced by a brigade of chefs and waiters, and bar service provided by one of the local sports clubs.

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!

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.

Please visit the New Norcia online giftshop to view all events.


The Most Popular Piano Pieces of All Time

Musical Soirée with Father Robert Nixon OSB 14th December, at the New Norcia Hostel.

The evening will commence at 6.30pm
A sumptuous supper and drinks will be served.

In this musical soirée, New Norcia’s Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB, will perform the most popular and best-loved pieces of all time. These are the works which appear most frequently in concert programmes, are listened to and recorded most often, and which surveys of listeners show are ranked the highest in terms of being favourites.

Included in this selection will, of course, be pieces like Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Chopin’s Fantasia-Impromptu, Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 1, and many others- as well as a few works by contemporary composers which have made it into the top rankings in popularity. Listeners at this recital can be confident that they will hear some of their own favourites.

Tickets are $100, all inclusive.
Accomodation can be separately arranged by emailing
groups@newnorcia.com.au


Abbot’s Table: Spring 16th November

We are pleased to announce the date for the next dinner of 2024, to be held at the grand old New Norcia Hostel.

This series celebrates a set four-course menu of fresh seasonal produce and showcase New Norcia wood-fired bakery products, olive oil, Abbey Ale and Abbey wines, to be shared with family and friends – or strangers – in this special place, a town like no other.

In the spirit of community, guests will sit together at long tables throughout the venue.

  • Pre-dinner drinks begin at 6.00 p.m.
  • All-inclusive dinner: $180 per person
  • When booking, please notify us of any special dietary allergies.

PLEASE NOTE: For group bookings: please list the name of each group member attending in the notes section of your order. There is a limit of 8 tickets per booking. Thank you!