Middle English Spiritual Writings: ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’, Julian of Norwich, Walter Hilton, Margery Kempe and others - New Norcia Benedictine Community

New Norcia Benedictine Community

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 all 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 the town tours leave.

Stay at New Norcia

There are so many different options for accommodation at New Norcia.

The Hostel, with its comfortable simple rooms, home cooked meals and neo-classical architecture is a perfect place for couples and families. With its scenic deck and heritage veranda it is a perfect place to enjoy the sunset with a New Norcia Abbey Ale or a wine from the Abbey range. 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 of 15 -100 can be accommodated in the Old Convent or the historic boarding school colleges.

Please click on the individual areas for more information.

Eat & Drink

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 have been utilised for camps and groups and this section contains all the information you need if your group is interested in staying in one of the colleges or undertaking one of the 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

What's On>

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, an Archives Library and Collections Study Day in October, and a few other surprises!

Watch this space for all the updated information about "What's on at New Norcia".

Study Weekend

Middle English Spiritual Writings: ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’, Julian of Norwich, Walter Hilton, Margery Kempe and others

Date:	Friday, 5th March 2021 to Sunday, 7th March 2021
Time:	7.30pm
Location:	Benedictine Institute, New Norcia
Price:	$250
Tickets:	To book a ticket, please visit our webshop.

During the later Middle Ages, there was in England a rich outflowing of spiritual writings in the vernacular tongue, or Middle English. These writings reveal a deep interest in mystical experiences amongst all classes of society, and testify to a profound and pervasive piety. This piety was rooted in orthodox ecclesial tradition, but deeply influenced by the popular culture and devotions of the time, and is often very bold and imaginative. This weekend will examine this fascinating corpus of literature, delving into some the key primary sources.

Led by Fr Robert Nixon

The cost includes two nights' accommodation at the Monastery Guesthouse, meals and entry into the Museum and Art Gallery.

For more information:

For more information please contact Fr Robert Nixon, osb.

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