A long drive turns into a surprisingly fun day.

This private Wheatbelt tour mixes country tastes with a real sense of place in New Norcia, including an included guided walk inside the Benedictine areas. I like that it’s paced for small groups and run with care, not a crowded bus-and-barge style.

Two things I really like: you get exclusive access to secluded monastery areas with a 2-hour guided walking tour, and you also get a proper mix of food and drink—fresh produce sampling in the Wheatbelt and a wine-style stop at a boutique winery. It’s not all churches and silence.

One consideration: it’s a full, early day (you start around 8:00am and plan on about 9.5 hours), with walking on uneven sites in New Norcia and the monastery precinct.

Key highlights to know before you go

• VIP feel in a small private vehicle designed for comfort (5 passengers comfortably, up to 7 with kids/smaller guests)
• Benedictine monastery access + 2-hour guided walk (secluded areas included)
• Real included value: museum/art gallery time, Rock of Remembrance, plus Abbey Ale or Pale Ale at the end
• Wheatbelt flavour stops: fresh produce sampling and a boutique winery sip
• Early start works best if you’re flexible and ready for a full day out of the city

Why New Norcia and the Wheatbelt work so well together

Perth days out can get repetitive fast: coast, maybe a quick town stop, then back home. This trip changes the rhythm. You’re heading into the Wheatbelt for everyday country life, then finishing in New Norcia, a town shaped by faith, heritage, and careful storytelling.

I like that it’s built around variety. You’ll move from town streets to monastery spaces, then shift gears to the taste side—produce, winery drinks, and an Abbey Ale finish. It also helps that the day is private, so you can ask for small changes on the fly instead of being locked to a rigid group script.

If you care about atmosphere (not just checklists), this one’s a strong pick. New Norcia doesn’t feel like a theme park. It feels like people have been making this place their lives for a long time—and you’ll see that in how the stops are set up.

VIP comfort, pickup timing, and how the day actually feels

The day starts at the Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay (Barrack Square, Riverside Dr) around 8:00am. You can also request a complimentary pickup, which matters if you’re staying outside the CBD or you simply want less hassle.

The transport is an air-conditioned private van with onboard commentary, plus an onboard fridge so drinks and any purchases stay cool. I really like this detail. If you’re picking up local food or drink, you don’t want it baking in the back seat while you’re driving to the next stop.

Plan for moderate walking. You’ll be on your feet for town exploring and for the monastery walking portion. Bring comfortable footwear you trust. A sunhat is not optional—this part of WA can be bright, even when the morning is mild.

Also note the practical reality: there’s no lunch included. You’ll want to plan your own meal timing, or at least be mentally ready to eat on your own between stops.

Bell Tower meet-up: a smooth start point, not a maze

Meet your driver at the Bell Tower, and that’s it. No confusing “stand by door 12” energy. Your guide is Cara, and the vibe is clearly hands-on: the day is designed so you can tell them how you want to organise the day as it unfolds.

If you tend to rush at the start of tours, this helps. You’re at a clear landmark in Perth, and you can settle in before you’re out of the city.

Wheatbelt flavour stops: fresh produce and a boutique winery sip

The tour’s name isn’t random. You’re not just driving through the Wheatbelt looking at fields. You’re scheduled to sample local fresh produce and sip on a glass at a boutique winery.

What does that mean in real life? Expect a tasting-style stop where the focus is on what’s local right now. Fresh produce in WA can be a big deal, especially when it’s seasonal. This is the part of the day where you get to slow down and actually taste the region rather than just look at it.

A good move here: don’t overcommit to purchases early. Sample first, then decide. If you buy produce or drink, the onboard fridge helps you carry it comfortably without worrying about it warming up too fast.

If you’re the type who likes to ask questions, this is your moment. The best tastings happen when you’re curious about what you’re eating and drinking, and the tour format gives you time to do that without feeling rushed.

New Norcia streets: history you can walk through

Once you reach New Norcia, the tone changes from countryside to town. You’ll spend time roaming the historic streets and walking in the footsteps of the pioneers who shaped the place.

This stop is free admission, which makes it a great “slow and look” section of the day. You’ll get the basics of how the town sits—where the important buildings are, how the streets connect, and what to watch for before you go into the monastery areas later.

I like the order here. Seeing the town streets first helps the monastery walk make more sense. You’re not stepping into a big complex with no context. You’ve already started to read the place as you walk.

Benedictine Monastery access: exclusive areas and a guided 2-hour walk

This is the core experience, and it’s scheduled for 2 hours. You’ll get exclusive entry to secluded areas that most casual visits don’t cover. That’s a big value point because it turns the monastery from “I walked around the edges” into “I actually learned how the place works.”

A highlight is the included 2-hour guided walking tour, recommended, with a guide leading you through the spaces. You’ll also visit standout sites within the precinct, including St. Gertrude’s College and an old flour mill.

The monastery areas are the kind of place where guided help matters. Without it, you’d likely miss details that explain why certain spaces exist and how the community has shaped the town. With the guide, you’re more likely to notice small things—architecture choices, how different rooms relate, and what the stories mean beyond the walls.

Practical note: wear shoes with grip and expect a slow walking pace at times. Even if the distance doesn’t sound huge, monastery precincts can mean uneven ground, stairs, and lingering for photos.

New Norcia Museum & Art Gallery: diaries, manuscripts, and intriguing stories

After the monastery experience, you shift into the New Norcia Museum & Art Gallery segment. It’s included, and it runs about 30 minutes.

Here’s what you should expect: artefacts, diaries, and manuscripts tied to the town’s past, plus access to a private art gallery with a collection that’s surrounded by rumours and intrigue.

I like that this is time-boxed. Thirty minutes is enough to get a feel for the culture and the stories without exhausting you after the monastery walking tour. It’s also a smart pairing: your earlier walk gives you the physical setting, and then the museum adds the personal records and objects that explain why the town matters.

If you’re the type who likes reading, you’ll likely enjoy this more than you think. If you’re not, still treat it as a way to understand what you just saw.

Ending with Abbey Ale: a calm finish, plus a scenic stretch

The day closes with a relaxing wrap-up. You’ll finish at the tour’s concluding stop with a complimentary Abbey Ale brewed from the monks’ original recipe—or you can choose a local gin and tonic option instead.

You’ll also get a scenic 1.5-hour unwind as you head back, and the tour ends back at the original meeting point.

This is a nice way to land the day. After monastery walking and museum time, a slow drink-and-reflection moment feels fair. It also gives you time to chat with your guide, compare notes, and ask anything you didn’t get around to earlier.

If you prefer to keep the day alcohol-light, you can still enjoy the Abbey Ale vibe as a cultural moment rather than a “must drink” pressure situation.

Price and value: what $283.31 per person includes (and why it can add up)

At $283.31 per person, it’s not a budget whim. But when you break down what you’re getting, the value makes more sense.

You’re paying for:

• a private day with air-conditioned transport
• onboard commentary and bottled drinking water
• an included day schedule in New Norcia (town time, monastery precinct entry, museum/art gallery time)
• a guided 2-hour monastery walk
• Abbey Ale (or alternative drink) at the end
• the convenience of a mobile ticket and a small-group vehicle

If you tried to assemble this yourself—driver, admission tickets, and a guided monastery walk—you’d likely spend more than this once you add up the moving parts. The big value is the monastery access plus the guidance. That’s not the kind of thing you can casually DIY without losing time.

Also, the tour is designed around a small vehicle: five comfortably, with up to seven recommended only for groups travelling with children or smaller guests. That matters for comfort and attention. If you want a personal feel, this setup supports it.

Who should book this tour?

This private day trip fits best if you want:

• a small-group, flexible outing
• a mix of food/drink and meaningful site time
• to see more than one WA story in a single day: Wheatbelt produce, then New Norcia’s monastery and museum
• a day that feels more like a friend-with-a-car plan than a crowded checklist

It’s also family-friendly in the sense that it can handle kids, but plan ahead. You’ll need to provide child car seats (forward-facing restraint for 1–4, booster seat for 4–7). Bring your own. The tour doesn’t supply them.

If your group has moderate mobility needs, this still can work. Just wear the right shoes and don’t plan on sprinting between stops.

Questions to ask yourself before you commit

I’d ask these before booking:

• Are you okay with an 8:00am start and a 9.5-hour day?
• Do you want a day that includes walking inside the monastery precinct?
• Are you happy to handle your own lunch since it’s not included?
• Do you prefer tasting and local small moments (produce, winery sips, Abbey Ale) over long shopping breaks?

If you say yes to those, you’ll likely feel the day is “worth it,” not just “something to do.”

Should you book Taste of the Wheatbelt private day to New Norcia and beyond?

Yes—if you want a serious change of pace from Perth and you value guided access. The best part is the monastery segment: exclusive entry and a 2-hour guided walk gives this day weight. Add museum time and a proper tasting finish, and it becomes more than a drive-by.

Book it particularly if you’re the kind of person who likes to learn while you walk, then taste while you relax. The VIP-style private setup, with Cara guiding the day, also makes it easier to keep the pace comfortable and ask for what your group wants.

If you’re mainly looking for a quick, low-walking, no-structure trip, then this may feel like a lot. It’s a full day with stops that require attention and shoes that can handle the ground.

Either way, pack smart: comfortable footwear, a sunhat, and keep hand luggage minimal so the vehicle stays easy to move around in.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where do I meet?

You meet at the Bell Tower, Barrack Square, Riverside Dr, Perth at 8:00am. The tour also ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from my hotel or another location?

Yes. The tour offers complimentary pickup if you request it.

How long is the private tour?

The duration is about 9 hours 30 minutes.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes air-conditioned transport, bottled spring drinking water, onboard commentary, entry for the Benedictine Abbey and monastery guided walking tour, the New Norcia Museum & Art Gallery, and a complimentary Abbey Ale or Pale Ale happy hour (with other drink options referenced in the day’s end).

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and any extra food or drinks are not included in the itinerary.

How many people can fit in the tour vehicle?

The van comfortably carries 5 passengers. Up to 7 passengers can be accommodated for groups travelling with children or smaller guests.