New Norcia, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Airing Date: Nov 13th, 2006
There's a strange contrast within the sleepy town of New Norcia. It's always been known as Australia's only monastic town but in recent times, it was chosen by the European Space Agency as location for its Deep Space Ground station.
Not what you'd expect, huh? Well for the small community, the ESA's ground satellite has added a new dimension to what they can offer to visitors.
The most sensible way to explore New Norcia is to follow the two short heritage trails (combined they take about 3 hours). Any visit to New Norcia should include the major buildings in the complex.
Start at the Museum, Art Gallery and shop where the Heritage Trail brochure can be purchased and where some of the treasures of the monastery are on display.
The museum houses the daily requirements of the monks and shows what their daily life involved - a medical display, an agricultural display and a display of Aboriginal artifacts. The art gallery is a mixture of European religious art and modern Australian religious art - some indifferent and others truly inspirational.
The Museum and Art Gallery are open from 10.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. daily. The New Norcia Hotel was built in 1927 as a guest house for parents visiting their children in the schools.
The New Norcia ESA (European Space Agency) Deep Space Satellite Dish is about 10kms south of New Norcia, off the Great Northern Highway. The ESA site is largely unmanned but the ESA site managers have been known to conduct private tours for groups by prior appointment.
For more information on what the dish does and the missions it is tracking, the ESA website is:
www.esa.int The New Norcia Hotel was built and designed by Fr Urbano Giminez in 1926 as a Hostel for visiting parents and is open for accommodation, meals and special events. The hotel offers 17 units including one with ensuite. Shared male bathroom and shared female bathroom are available for other guests.
FURTHER INFORMATION Rooms from $70 a night. Includes breakfast. Twin share. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Prices correct at 13/11/06.
New Norcia Hotel - PH:
(08) 9654 8034 Car hire from $68 a day. Based on 7 days rental of an economy sized vehicle. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 13/11/06. DriveAway Holidays - PH:
1300 363 500
