130 km North of Perth on the Great Northern Highway. This monastic community (www.newnorcia.wa.edu.au) was founded by Benedictine monks in 1846, as a mission to convert the local Aborigines. The mission is a rare Australian example of Spanish Colonial architecture. It is named after the birthplace of St Benedictine, the founder of European monasticism, who was born at Norcia in Italy at the end of 5thC.

The community still flourishes, its monks living a simple life devoted to prayer and agricultural labour. A hundred years ago they planted an olive grove, which today produces some of the finest olive oil in Australia. The original orphanage has now developed into two Catholic Colleges. For some reason, the residence of the boys’ college, St lldephonsus, has sprouted Moslem-style minarets.

Be sure to take the Heritage Trail, starting at the Museum and Art Gallery, which leads you around the mission. Here you can see the flour mills, the Beehouse down by the river, a museum, a 150-year-old bakery (which makes excellent sourdough bread) and an art gallery (which contains examples of historic and contemporary religious paintings and artefacts, as well as some intriguing old manuscripts). Also try the Norcia Heritage Riverwalk.