Canola fields and monastery quiet, in one day. This private Wheatbelt outing blends fresh-produce tasting vibes with New Norcia’s Benedictine heritage, plus time for local flavours that can be tailored to your pace.

I love how small the group feels, with Cara running the day in a comfortable van that’s designed for real people, not cattle. I also love the specific payoffs at New Norcia: exclusive monastery access plus a guided walking tour component, and a museum/art stop that’s actually worth the time. The one drawback to plan for: lunch and some entry costs aren’t included, so budget a bit extra and don’t rely on a full meal showing up.

Key takeaways

• Small-group VIP feel with a comfort-first van setup for your group size
• Exclusive access to secluded Benedictine areas, with a guided walking tour built in
• New Norcia museum + art gallery time included, so you’re not rushing through
• Complimentary Abbey Ale (or Pale Ale) plus a relaxed end-of-day unwind
• Wheatbelt seasonality: canola bloom and wildflowers can add real wow-factor
• Practical extras like bottled water, sunscreen, and an on-board fridge for your drinks or produce

A VIP-sized Wheatbelt day with New Norcia at the center

This tour is designed as a private day, not a big bus circuit. You’ll be in your own group only, which matters in a place like New Norcia where the details come from pacing and access, not speed. The van is set up for comfort, and the sweet spot is 5 passengers, with up to 7 only recommended for groups that include children or smaller guests.

Cara is the guide name you’ll want to know. The best part of having a guide here is not just explanations. It’s that she supports small local businesses as part of how the day flows, so your time in the Wheatbelt feels connected to people, not just places.

And yes, there’s a food-and-flavour idea behind the whole day. You’re sampling local produce in the Wheatbelt, and the day concept includes a boutique winery moment too. The exact timing of that can be flexible, so if you’re a wine person, treat it as a key request when you confirm your plan.

Morning start at The Bell Tower in Elizabeth Quay

Your day kicks off at The Bell Tower, Barrack Square at Elizabeth Quay, with a suggested start of 8:00am. You can also request a complimentary pickup, which is handy if you’re staying somewhere awkward to reach early.

One practical heads-up: the itinerary lists the Bell Tower stop as a longer block of time, and it also notes that the Bell Tower admission ticket is not included. Translation: you should check what you personally need to pay for at the start, rather than assuming every site cost is covered.

Bring comfortable footwear. Even though you’re driving, you’ll still be on your feet and moving through town spaces. Bring a sunhat too. The tour provides water and sunscreen on board, but morning sun in WA is still WA.

The early block of sightseeing: why that start time matters

It’s tempting to think of a day like this as one long drive, then New Norcia. But the schedule spends real time up front, which can actually work in your favour. You get time to settle, get bearings, and ease into the day instead of jumping straight into walking and history.

Also, this is one reason the tour feels private rather than rushed. With your own group and a set sequence, you can keep questions simple: what’s most important today, and what do you want more time for?

If you’re the type who hates waiting around, plan to stay flexible and use the time wisely. Snap photos, take a slow stroll, and ask Cara what she recommends first so you don’t waste energy later.

New Norcia town stroll: pioneers, heritage, and spiritual heart

After the morning block, you’ll head to New Norcia, where the focus is the town itself. This stop is listed as about 1 hour, and it’s free admission.

What you’re doing here is less about checklist tourism and more about getting your bearings fast: roaming the streets, seeing the historic structures, and walking in the footsteps of the pioneers who shaped the area. New Norcia has that slow, reflective feel. Even if you’re not religious, you’ll probably appreciate how the town’s story shows up in buildings, layout, and atmosphere.

This hour is a good fit if you’re travelling with mixed ages. It’s not a hard endurance walk, and it gives you context before the monastery areas.

If you love photos, this is when you’ll want to slow down. The town has a way of making architecture feel personal, like you’re looking at craftsmanship rather than just sightseeing.

Benedictine Monastery of New Norcia: secluded areas and a guided walking tour

This is the heart of the day. At Stop 3, you’ll get exclusive entry to secluded parts of the Benedictine complex. That alone is a strong reason to choose this tour version rather than a general visit. The itinerary also calls out a recommended 2-hour guided walking tour, and the admission for this section is included.

Expect to see big-name parts of the monastery world, including St. Gertrude’s College and the old Flour Mill area (plus other parts of the complex as the guide brings it to life). The value here is time and access: you’re not just looking through doors from the edge of the property.

A practical note: this part is where your shoes matter most. You’re outdoors, moving at a steady pace, and you’ll likely do more than you think once you’re inside the larger complex spaces. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness, so it’s worth being honest with yourself here.

If you’re travelling with kids, it can still work well, especially if your group likes animals and curious details. The broader Wheatbelt day concept includes nature moments, and the monastery stop is a strong “education with atmosphere” piece.

New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery: artefacts, diaries, and rumours

Next comes New Norcia Museum & Art Gallery, a 30-minute stop with admission included. This is where the day gets more specific and a bit more human.

You’ll see artefacts, diaries, and manuscripts from the monastery’s past. Then you also get access to a private art gallery space—described as surrounded by rumours and intrigue, tied to national news at points.

Is 30 minutes enough for a deep read? Probably not if you’re the type who stands in front of every document and takes it personally. But the museum stop works as an excellent add-on. It gives you the stories behind what you’ve been walking through, so the architecture doesn’t feel like just walls and windows.

If you want to do more, you can always come back later. For a single-day tour, this is a good hit of context without swallowing the whole day.

Wheatbelt flavour stops: produce tastings, animals, and canola season

The Wheatbelt theme here is simple: taste local, look local, and don’t just drive through. The day is described as including fresh-produce sampling and a relaxed winery-style glass of wine.

In real life, the Wheatbelt is also where seasonal colour does some heavy lifting. When canola is in bloom, the area can look almost unreal—people talk about bright yellow and wildflowers that are just starting to show. If your dates line up with that season, you’ll probably want time to stop and take photos without feeling guilty about the schedule.

You’ll also get nature moments that can surprise you if you only think of WA as beaches. One of the most praised parts of this day is the animal time: friendly birds, goats, and a feeling of being closer to everyday countryside life than you’d expect from a day trip.

Because the tour is flexible and private, that nature-and-produce emphasis can change a bit by date. If birds or farm animals are a must, say it upfront to Cara so she can steer the plan toward your interests.

Tastes to end the day: Abbey Ale, gin and tonic, and a scenic unwind

The finish line is both delicious and easygoing. The tour ends with a complimentary Abbey Ale (brewed from the monks’ original recipe) or a Pale Ale happy hour option. There’s also mention of a local gin and tonic as an alternative, depending on what you prefer.

This part is listed as a short stop, followed by a relaxing scenic 1.5-hour unwind. That longer unwind time matters more than it sounds. After a day of walking, museum time, and monastery touring, you want a low-pressure section where you can sit back and let the day settle.

It’s also where the on-board details pay off. The tour includes an on-board fridge, so drinks or produce you pick up along the way don’t turn into lukewarm sad science experiments.

Price and value: what $283.31 gets you (and what it doesn’t)

At $283.31 per person, this is not a budget group tour. It’s priced like a true private day, and you should judge it by what’s included, not by what you’d pay for something similar by the hour.

Here’s what you’re getting that pushes the value up:

• A private setup with air-conditioned vehicle and tour guide commentary
• Guided components at New Norcia, including the walking tour portion
• Admission included for the Benedictine monastery areas and the museum/art gallery
• Drinks included at the end: Abbey Ale (or Pale Ale happy hour)
• Practical extras like bottled spring drinking water and an on-board fridge

What you need to plan for yourself:

• Lunch and extra food/drinks are not included
• The itinerary notes that the Bell Tower admission ticket is not included
• If you’re expecting a fully meals-included day, this isn’t that

If you’re a couple or small family, private pricing often feels painful until you add up admissions, guide time, and the convenience of not coordinating multiple buses. For this day—where access and pacing matter—the price can start to look more reasonable fast.

And the tour mentions group discounts, which can improve value if you’re booking as a small group rather than as just one traveller.

Who this tour suits best (and who may want something else)

You’ll likely love this if you want:

• A small, private day instead of a big group shuffle
• Real time in New Norcia, not just a quick photo stop
• A mix of food tastings, history, and a bit of countryside nature
• A guide who helps you connect the dots and keep the day moving at a human pace (Cara’s been praised for her energy and for working with small local businesses)

You might want to look at something else if:

• You hate early starts and long structured blocks (the day runs about 9 hours 30 minutes)
• You need a fully meal-included itinerary, because lunch is on you
• You’re not comfortable with moderate walking around heritage sites

Also, this is clearly set up for people who can handle some walking. If you have specific mobility needs, it’s smart to ask Cara directly how much ground coverage the day will include for your group.

Car seats and comfort: small details that matter

If you’re travelling with kids, don’t wing this part. The tour requires you to bring your own child car seats:

• Ages 1 to 4: forward-facing restraint with inbuilt harness
• Ages 4 to 7: booster seat

On the adult side, pack like you’re doing an outdoors day: sunscreen, sunhat, and shoes you can wear on uneven ground. Keep hand luggage to a minimum if you can. The tour provides water and sunscreen on board, but you still want to travel light and comfortable.

Should you book Taste of the Wheatbelt?

If you’re craving a day outside the city that still has structure, this private New Norcia-and-beyond tour is a strong pick. The biggest reason to book is the combination of exclusive monastery access, guided time, and included museum/art stop—plus the Wheatbelt “taste” theme that makes it more than just history photos.

Before you lock it in, do two things:

1. Budget for lunch and any Bell Tower ticket costs you might personally need.
2. Tell Cara what you care about most—wine, animals, canola season timing, or extra time for photos—so the flexible pieces of the day line up with your priorities.

If that sounds like your kind of travel, book it. It’s the kind of day that feels tailored even when the schedule is doing its job.

FAQ

How long is the Taste of the Wheatbelt private day tour?

The tour runs for approximately 9 hours 30 minutes.

Where do we meet, and is pickup offered?

You meet at The Bell Tower, Barrack Square, Riverside Dr, Perth WA 6000. Complimentary pickup is available if you request it.

Is this a private tour, and how many people fit in the van?

Yes, it’s private, meaning only your group participates. The van comfortably carries 5 passengers, and it can accommodate up to 7 for groups travelling with children or smaller guests. For larger groups (up to 20 pax), you need to contact the provider directly.

What’s included in the tour?

Included items cover bottled spring drinking water, an air-conditioned vehicle with tour guide commentary, and stops covering the New Norcia township, Benedictine Abbey, Rock of Remembrance, the walking tour, and the art gallery and museum. There’s also an on-board fridge to keep drinks or purchases cool, plus complimentary Abbey Ale or Pale Ale happy hour.

What should I bring, and is lunch included?

Wear comfortable footwear and bring a sunhat. The tour provides water and sunscreen on board. Lunch and extra food/drinks are not included, so plan to purchase your own during the day if you want more than what’s provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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