Travel through the Swan Valley to New Norcia, Australia’s only monastic town which is renowned for its Benedictine Abbey. Drive through the town and learn of the intriguing history and culture of the community before stopping for morning tea.

A little piece of Spain comes alive in this town, full of history, art and architecture. The town’s main attraction is the museum and art gallery. In the museum, you will find extraordinary artefacts dating back to when New Norcia was an Aboriginal mission, a hub for farming and a diverse town for education and culture.

The Abbey Church is home to one of only two large Moser organs, originally crafted in Germany, this organ was imported to Australia in the 1920s. Visit St Gertrude’s College, a grand gothic style building which was originally built an all-girls boarding school and opened in 1908. Afterwards, visit a produce shop for the chance to purchase Benedictine Community goods including olive oil, fruit, wine, New Norcia nut cake and bread.

From here enjoy our included fish and chips lunch at the historic New Norcia Hotel before heading to the Western Wildflower Farm for a brief talk about how wildflowers are dried and exported, then continue on to visit the iconic Pinnacles Desert. Rich in flowering plants, this is a great spot where vegetation blooms into flower during the season. These mystical limestone pillars make up one of Australia’s most unique landscapes, rising eerily out of the sand and reaching up to several metres tall. See the Pinnacles from the lookout over the Park or take a guided walk through these amazing spiers. If time permits, be sure to make a visit to the Pinnacle Desert Discovery Centre to discover even more about this natural wonder. (Wildflower viewing stops are made in season.)