We’re walking on sunshine this spring, with more outdoor activities, hikes, and day trips within easy driving distance. If you fancy exploring a little off the beaten track, consider an adventure in the Western Australian bush. Less than two hours from Perth, New Norcia is a monastic town with a history dating back to the 1840s. With heritage buildings galore and a ground-based space station, here’s what you can see and do in this town by the banks of the Moore River.
How the town came about
The town’s foundation stone was laid in 1847, when Spanish Benedictine monks Giuseppe Serra and Rosendo Salvado founded the abbey. Named New Norcia after St. Benedict’s Italian hometown of Nursia, it was initially conceived as a mission and later as a school for local Aboriginal children.
Courtesy of its tumultuous history, many schools and colleges were abandoned or repurposed. Today, Australia’s only monastic town remains of interest, with a variety of architectural styles (Baroque, Gothic Revival, Byzantine, Italian, and Renaissance), a museum, and local produce.
Things to do in New Norcia
Start your exploration with the Museum and Art Gallery. Here, learn about the town’s history and buy tickets for a two-hour guided tour of its important buildings. The tour runs twice a day, at 11 am and 1.30 pm, respectively. If you prefer to take it slow, set off on a self-guided tour instead.
Since you’re already in the museum compound, take your time browsing its permanent exhibits. The Art Gallery features paintings sourced by founder Rosendo Salvado in the 19th century alongside contemporary Christian religious artworks. If you enjoy sampling local food, pick up New Narcia bread with homemade preserves and honey at the Museum Gift Shop.
If you enjoy beautiful detours, try taking the New Norcia Heritage Riverwalk. Starting at the Museum & Art Gallery, it charts the town’s development from the beginning over its 2 km length (extending by 1.7 km for an extra River Walk).
The Benedictine Abbey Church and Colleges
The Abbey can be your next stop. One of the first buildings built in the 1800s, it features a unique art style called sgraffito on its walls and is the resting place of town founder Rosendo Salvado. Also, take a look at one of the only two German-crafted Moser organs that came to Australia in the 1920s.
Also participate in the monks’ daily prayers (the Divine Office) in their private chapel, a 1500-year tradition. You can also meander around the Hostel’s beautiful architecture, though photography is usually restricted because it is a private residence.
Next, head over to the Education Centre to admire the vibrant Aboriginal artwork and river mural. Afterwards, step back in time to explore the historic Mission Cottage and its accompanying Interpretation Centre. Along the way, you will come across the Prindiville room. Inside, detailed modules contrast the worlds of the Indigenous owners and European monks, showcasing their unique approaches to food, skills, communication, and tradition.
If you’re up for it, visit St. Ildephonsus’ and St. Gertrude’s Colleges after. The buildings are stunning from every angle, but the eye-catching interiors will transport you straight to Europe.
New Norcia Station
About 10 km from the town sits New Norcia Station (NNO), a vital communications hub for the European Space Agency. The first ESA deep space ground station, with one of the largest antennae on the planet, it is a crucial link to spacecraft from low Earth orbit to deep space.
Food and drink
The Benedictine-owned Salvado Café is a vibrant local hub offering fresh meals for dining in or takeaway for a picnic lunch. The highlight is the selection of authentic New Norcia Bakery treats, crafted in the town’s original wood-fired oven. Visitors can enjoy them alongside a coffee or a drink from the newly licensed midday bar. It’s open 7:30 am – 5 pm daily except Christmas Day.
Getting there
Driving is the easiest way to New Norcia, 132 km north of Perth. The drive takes 1.5-2 hours. From Perth CBD, get on State Route 53, then the Tonkin Highway/State Route 4 in Morley. Join the Great Northern Highway (National Highway 95), then take the Gillingarra-New Norcia Road to New Norcia.
You could also take the TransWA Bus Service (N2 Route to Geraldton) from TransWA East Perth to the New Norcia Roadhouse.
For more travel details and bus timings, visit www.transwa.wa.gov.au. For more about New Norcia, visit its official website.
