Story: New Norcia – Chittering, Avon Valley
Airdate: Ep 4, 4th August, 2019
Presenter: Chrissy Morrissy.

Chrissy continues her road trip of the Avon Valley, driving from New Norcia through to Chittering.

• New Norcia two hours out of Perth and what a great location to get our and explore.
• New Norcia is Australia’s only Monastic town and was founded in 1847 by Benedictine Monks. New Norcia is still a living, breathing Monastery.
• The Museum and Art Gallery has three floors and five permanent exhibitions.
• Ground Floor ‐ Tells the story of the first 50 years of New Norcia, includes stunning vestments, paintings, farm tools, maps, lithographs.
• First Floor – Art Gallery – housing one of the largest collections of moveable religious art in Australia. Painters by old masters and contemporary artists. Mandorla Prize for Religious Art winners.
• Second floor – Exhibition about the mission school for girls (St Josephs) and what life was like for the students. Also Charles Gardiner botanical exhibition including slides, paintings, drawings and specimens.
• Why not visit the shop at the New Norcia hotel and take a little piece of the town away with you, such as some beautifully baked bread, biscotti, nut cake or some of the Abbey Ale or Wine range, which are also available for tastings.
• Whether you are heading out to New Norica or the region or heading home, you must stop in at the Bindoon Bakehaus and have a bite to eat. Prince Harry even made it famous when he stopped in and enjoyed their Bannofee Eclaire!
• Stop along the way in Chittering at one of the many farm gate sales, currently in season are mandarins and one of the stalls is clearly identified by a green and orange combi van, a popular selfie spot!
• Chittering has a history of growing food, in earlier times a dried fruit industry and now broad acre farming and some of the best citrus to be found in Western Australia.
• If you in the region or just want to head out for the day, why not visit Stringybark Wines and Restaurant.
• Stringybark has a delicious menu designed around local products and is matched perfectly with the wines made on their property.

When was the last time you took a road trip out to the Avon Valley, with so many amazing things to see and do, it’s time to get planning.

www.avonvalleywa.com.au