New Norcia

After another disturbed nights sleep from wind and rain, Baz and I came to the decision that it would be best to head inland away from the coast as the forecast for the next week wasn't looking very promising. We had planned on going to Fremantle then onto Albany and around the coast to Esperence, we certainly were not enjoying the wintery weather that we were experiencing so a change of plans took us inland to New Norcia and the we will head to Kalgoolie.
Our visit to the Historic town of New Norcia was a spiritual experience as the Benedictine Monks settled and built the town in 1847. New Norcia is Australia's only monastic town and has a unique heritage. Founded 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. We enjoyed a two hour walking tour of the town where we viewed the chapels in the girls and boys colleges, these are visually stunning with painted murals and the fine works of the wood carvings. This beautiful work was also displayed in the Abbey Church along with a Moser organ that was crafted in Germany and imported by the Monks. If anyone was coming to the town to stay in the caravan park they would be bitterly disappointed as it is located at the Roadhouse with no level sites, gravel and only metres from the side of the Great Northern Hwy. We preferred the camping area that was located across the road and much further from the  busy hwy. and only had to pay $7 for the night, and enjoyed a nice peaceful sleep.
We travelled about 400 klms the next day in fine sunny weather stopping for lunch at the Ettamogh Pub at Cunderdin , seeing the pub we thought we were suddenly transposed to QLD. Baz enjoyed a nice Fathers Day Lunch before continuing further along the Great Southern Hwy towards Kalgoolie stopping for the night at the Boorabin Rest Area.

Boy's College New Norcia

Chapel girls college

Chapel boy's college

Abbey Church

Moser Organ Abbey Church

Monastery New Norcia

Pub at Cunderdin