New Norcia Bakeries

About New Norcia Bakeries

Founded in 1846 by Dom Rosendo Salvado, New Norcia is Australia's only monastic town. The 16 resident monks lead a traditional life of prayer and reflection in a community noted for its splendid buildings of Spanish architectural influence. The town is registered on the National Estate and 27 of the buildings are classified by the National Trust. In 1993 New Norcia Bakeries was granted permission to use the original wood-fired oven at the monastery (installed in 1886) to produce authentic artisan breads with a characteristic chewy, golden crust and a slightly smoky, toasted wheat flavour. Response to the breads was enthusiastic from the outset, with the sourdoughs acclaimed as being amongst the best in the world.