A weekend of fun and learning at New Norcia

If you love writing and photography or just like a nice weekend away from the city. Why not join the West Travel Club team at New Norcia for a weekend of fun and learning?

New Norcia, about 130km north of Perth, is a peaceful and tranquil setting with beautiful historic buildings and art collections and the perfect place for budding writers and photographers to get creative and learn new skills.

The small town, which has been owned and operated by the New Norcia Benedictine Community since 1847, is often described as a piece of Old Spain in the middle of the Australian bush.

Guests can choose between three unique weekend experiences:

1. Travel Club Experience with Stephen Scourfield (12 places)

Come and meet the team and other like-minded readers, tour New Norcia, join us for an evening words and music concert at Abbey Church, and a panel session — and have time to sleep in, sit on the veranda and read a bit, too. This package includes the above three items as well as a Monastery guided walk, via the visitor centre and a museum & art gallery pass.

2. Writing Workshop with Will Yeoman (12 places)

Along with the Abbey Church performance and the Team panel session, you will also have several in-depth writing sessions covering:

How Good is Grammar?! — Tools of the Trade. From Parrot to Poet — Mimicking the Masters. The Art of Travel Writing — A Conversation with Stephen Scourfield. The Lie of the Land — Creative Non-fiction. Field Notes — Outdoor Writing Experience. Get It Together — Drafting, Crafting & Making Sense of Your Notes.

Presented in partnership with Writing WA

3. Photography Workshop with Mogens Johansen (12 places)

Along with the Abbey Church performance and the Team panel session, you will also have several in-depth photography sessions including:

Seeing Pictures — Show & Tell Screen Session. PhotoWalk — Create a Picture Story from New Norcia. Photo Session — Managing Low Light Inside St Gertrude’s Chapel. PhotoWalk — Early Light. With an introduction to drone photography and demonstration.

All packages include:

Accommodation, all meals, and your chosen panel session.

Guests can choose to stay one night (Saturday) or come up the night before and stay Friday night as well, so they are ready for our start at 9am on Saturday morning.

All the packages are priced the same but there’s a small surcharge for solo travellers.

1-night package: $450 per person, twin share

1-night package: $535 solo traveller

2-night package: $550 per person, twin share

2-night package: $600 solo traveller

All accommodation will be in comfortable, modern rooms. None of the bedrooms have ensuites, but bathrooms are refurbished and sparklingly clean.

Once New Norcia Hostel is fully booked, guests will be given rooms in the refurbished upper and lower convent.

All meals are included in the price, and allergies and medical dietary issues will be catered for.

To find out more and to book, visit westtravelclub.com.au/events.