New Norcia

This has been one of the more interesting and unusual places we have been. Situated about 130km from Perth, this is a unique place, although it reminds me of the Spanish missions I saw in California. It was settled by Benedictine monks in 1847. Unusual in that they were both on the Western sides of the country. I think this is the only monastery of it's kind in Australia. The entire town is monastic. Apparently the last monk only died about 3 weeks ago, he was aged in his 90's. It was established to convert the Aboriginals to Christianity. There was also schools for girls and boys in the town, run by nuns and monks. These pictures are of the boys school, the flour mill and the Abbey church. for you Catholics, note the hand painted stations of the cross.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Norcia,_Western_Australia

This is the hotel. The monks built it because the King of Spain was thought to be coming to visit, which he never did!