New Norcia, Western Australia.

Someone at Moora told us to visit New Norcia as there was an historic Abbey there and was worth seeing.  So we headed further inland to see what all the talk was about.

Apparently at New Norcia you can buy bread that is to die for, however these days the bread is made elsewhere and transported to via carrier to New Norcia.

There are a few Monks living at the Abbey and the last Spanish Monk passed on some years ago.

The Benedictine abbey was founded on 1 March 1846 by a Spanish Benedictine, Rudesindus Salvado, for the Christianising of Australian Aborigines. It is situated eighty-two miles from Perth, the state capital; its territory was bounded on the south and east by the then Diocese of Perth, and on the north by the Diocese of Geraldton.

'This mission at first had no territory. Its founder lived in the wilderness, leading the same nomadic life as the indigenous people whom he had come to convert. His food was of the most variable character, consisting of wild roots dug out of the earth by the spears of his neophytes, with lizards, iguanas, even worms in times of distress, or, when fortunate in the chase, with the native kangaroo.
After three years of hardships amongst the local people, Salvado came to the conclusion that they could be converted to Christianity. Assisted by some friends, he started for Rome in 1849 to procure auxiliaries and money to assist him in his work. Whilst in Rome, he was appointed Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria (Australia) in Northern Australia, being consecrated on 15 August 1849. Before he left Rome, all of the people of Port Victoria had abandoned the diocese for the goldfields. Salvado then implored the pope to permit him to return to Australia. He set out for Spain and obtained there monetary assistance and over forty young volunteers. All these afterwards became Benedictines. They landed in Australia in charge of their bishop on 15 August 1852.
Bishop Salvado, with his band of willing workers, then commenced operations. They cleared land for the plough and introduced the natives to habits of industry. They built a large monastery, schools and orphanages for the young, cottages for the married and flour-mills to grind their wheat. An important village soon sprang up, in which many natives were fed, clothed and converted to Christianity.'
Wikipedia 

 St Ildephonsus' Boys' School.

Tours of most of the buildings are conducted each day, unfortunately we were too late for the morning one, and we had to move on towards Merredin, WA. 

 Abbey Church, contains the tomb of Dom Rosendo Salvado.

Apparently it's is lovely inside.  Of course the door was locked!

New Norcia Benedictine Monastery, which is still used today.

 This Abbey was signed private, but I put my lens inside the gate - and took photos.

 Out side of the Abbey, and it goes a long way to the left as well.

St Gertrude's College - now used for various other things.

The Hotel

A house near the Hotel.  All need a coat of paint!

Crops on the way to New Norcia

The Map where New Norcia on the 95 Highway.