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Feb 20 2021
Abbot’s Table : 20 February 2021 : BOOKED OUT
On October 10th 2020, Abbot John donned a kitchen apron to share his former life as a chef, working in some of Melbourne’s finest award-winning restaurants of the 1980s. Access the menu and feedback here. We are pleased to announce the dates for the 2021 series of seasonal dinners in the French tradition at the grand old New Norcia Hostel: ‘La table de l’abbé’ The Abbot’s Table
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Feb 26 2021toFeb 28 2021
Guesthouse Retreat
Lenten Retreat
Lent is a time traditionally devoted to spiritual purification and refinement in preparation for the great celebration of Easter. During Lent, Christians are encouraged to adopt the practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving...
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Mar 5 2021toMar 7 2021
Study Weekend
Middle English Spiritual Writings: ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’, Julian of Norwich, Walter Hilton, Margery Kempe and others
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...
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Mar 13 2021
An Evening Concert of French Music at the New Norcia Hostel
Please join us for an evening concert of French music in the atmospheric and historic New Norcia Hostel.
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Mar 19 2021toMar 21 2021
New Norcia Guesthouse
Benedictine Experience Weekend
Benedictine spirituality is more readily experienced than defined. These weekends in the monastery guesthouse (beginning with Vespers at 6.30pm on Friday, concluding after lunch on Sunday) provide the opportunity to enter fully into the monastic rhythm and balance of prayer, work, lectio divina, hospitality and community life. There will be opportunities to ponder the riches of the scriptures and monastic literature, both in group discussions and personal silence and solitude, bringing from the ‘storeroom, things both new and old.’
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Apr 16 2021toApr 18 2021
Study Weekend
Thomas Merton as a Guide for our Inner Journey
Thomas Merton was a 20th century Cistercian monk, whose writings inspired a world-wide renewal of interest in Christian, monastic spirituality and contemplative prayer. On this weekend the writings and spirit of Thomas Merton will be a guide to shine a light on the multiple rooms of our mind, heart and soul...
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May 7 2021toMay 9 2021
Guesthouse Retreat
The Sacrament of Silence- Meditation Retreat
Love of silence is a quality emphasised and affirmed in the Rule of St. Benedict, and a traditional value of monastic life. Yet the cultivation of silence is something very difficult in our modern world, and often not understood or appreciated...
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May 22 2021
Abbot’s Table : 22 May 2021: BOOKED OUT
On October 10th 2020, Abbot John donned a kitchen apron to share his former life as a chef, working in some of Melbourne’s finest award-winning restaurants of the 1980s. Access the menu and feedback here. We are pleased to announce the dates for the 2021 series of seasonal dinners in the French tradition at the grand old New Norcia Hostel: ‘La table de l’abbé’ The Abbot’s Table
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May 27 2021
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Jun 11 2021toJun 13 2021
Study Weekend
The Imitation of Christ: A Spiritual Classic Revisited
It is often said that, apart from the Bible, the most influential work of literature in Christian spirituality is The Imitation of Christ. This small book, written by Thomas a Kempis in the 15th century, has been a treasured source of inspiration and guidance for followers of Jesus for over 500 years, and continues to be relevant, encouraging and strengthening....
Contact Us
Main Office
T: +61 8 9654 8018
F: +61 8 9654 8097
E: information@newnorcia.wa.edu.au
Hostel
T: +61 8 9654 8034
E: hotel@newnorcia.wa.edu.au
Friends of New Norcia / Volunteering
Museum & Art Gallery
T: +61 8 9654 8056
E: museum@newnorcia.wa.edu.au
Group Accommodation & Education Centre
T: +61 8 9654 8018
E: groups@newnorcia.wa.edu.au
Media & Communications
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
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, 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".