Birds, cheese, and monastery bread in one day. This small-group Wheatbelt trip from Perth pairs Limestone Park Stud aviaries with farm tastings, then sends you to New Norcia, a working monastic town in Western Australia.

I especially like how the day feels balanced: history in New Norcia sits right next to real local food stops, not just scenery.

Next you’ll hit Local Goat for hand-milked cheese and gelato, then Little Eeden Honey for a bush honey tasting. The result is a day that tastes like the region, not like a checklist.

The only real catch is the format: it’s a 10-hour day with walking on dry, dusty ground, so wear proper shoes and bring a sunhat.

Key highlights

• Max 5 people means a calmer pace and more room to ask questions
• 450+ bird species at Limestone Park Stud with free-flight aviaries
• Farm tastings you can actually buy and take home: cheese, gelato, and WA bush honey
• New Norcia monastery visit with entry to the Benedictine Abbey and time in town
• Abbey Ale included (plus option for gin and tonic or non-alcoholic OJ)
• Lunch, water, sunscreen, and an onboard fridge keep you comfortable through the day

A Perth-to-Wheatbelt day trip that mixes birds, tasting rooms, and New Norcia

This is one of those Perth day tours that avoids the usual formula of just driving and looking. You’re out in the Wheatbelt, and the day is built around three things that work well together: nature, food, and a real place with living traditions.

The animal and food stops are not throwaway “photo moments.” You get enough time to wander gardens, watch birds, and then slow down for tastings. That matters because most people don’t come to the Wheatbelt to eat fast and run off; you come to smell the place, taste what’s made nearby, and see how life works outside the city.

Then, New Norcia turns the day from casual to curious. You’re walking around a Spanish-style outback monastery setting, with the Benedictine Abbey and the town’s monastic identity right there. It’s historic without feeling like a museum-only stop.

Getting to the start: Bell Tower meeting, early departure, and driver Cara

You meet at the Bell Tower in Barrack Square, and the start time is 8:00am. If you’re staying in Perth city hotels, pickup is complimentary, which is a big help when you want to avoid juggling buses before an early start.

From the start, the small group format makes a difference. With a maximum of five people, you’re not competing for attention at stops, and you’re more likely to get practical answers from Cara, the driver/guide named for this tour. When a group is very small, the schedule can feel less rushed—so you can take that extra few minutes for a better look, instead of being marched through.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and there’s an onboard fridge to keep drinks or any produce you buy cool. That’s not just comfort fluff. It helps when you grab cheese, honey, or other items you’ll want to keep in good shape for the ride home.

Limestone Park Stud: coffee + gardens, then free-flight aviaries with 450+ birds

The first major stop is Limestone Park Stud, with about 1 hour on site. You’ll leave Perth at 8am, then settle into the morning with a coffee and a walk through lush countryside gardens. Even before you reach the aviaries, the setting does something important: it slows the day down.

The star attraction here is the bird experience. The park features free-flight aviaries, and the overview notes over 450 different bird species. That’s the kind of number that usually means “big collection,” but in practice it also means you’ll see a lot of variety—different shapes, different behaviors, and plenty of movement. If you’re the sort of person who likes looking up at birds without always planning your next photo, this stop fits you.

What I like about this kind of aviary experience is that it’s not just a static view. With free-flight areas, you often find birds closer or moving through spaces you’d otherwise pass by. If you’ve only done zoos with enclosures, this feels more open and natural.

A small consideration: bring your patience and your eyes. Birds don’t perform on command. If you arrive focused on exact species lists, you might miss the point. If you arrive ready to wander and observe, you’ll enjoy it more.

Local Goat and Little Eeden Honey: cheese gelato and WA bush honey you can take home

This is where the tour becomes truly “taste WA,” not just “see WA.”

First up is Local Goat, about 30 minutes. This off-the-grid goat cheese farm includes tastings of freshly crafted cheeses and homemade gelato. The description specifically points to the family hand-milking part of the process, with the name Gerald included in the farm story. Even if you don’t catch every detail, you get the sense that the cheese and gelato aren’t an afterthought—they’re the core product.

Then you continue to Little Eeden Farm Honey and Apiary for about 1 hour. You’ll enjoy a honey tasting session featuring WA bush honey. The guide will walk you through the different honey varieties and the health benefits associated with them (as described for the tasting). This is a good stop for you if you like learning while you sample, because you’re not just eating—you’re comparing flavors and thinking about how it’s made.

Why these two farm stops work together: goat cheese and honey are natural partners, so you end up with a clearer picture of flavor, not just separate bites. Also, both tastings encourage you to buy small amounts to extend the day’s flavors back in your fridge.

Time-wise, note that each tasting is brief. The upside is that you get variety across the day. The downside is that you won’t have a long, sit-down meal here—so go in ready to taste, ask questions, and pick what you want.

The 35-meter deep-space antenna: a quick science pause on the road

Between the farms and New Norcia, you pass by a 35-meter deep-space antenna. It’s not marketed as a full stop where you’ll go inside or tour facilities; it’s more like a roadside awareness moment. Still, it adds a useful contrast to the day.

You’ll be moving from gardens and small producers into a monastic town, and the antenna is a reminder that the Wheatbelt area has more going on than agriculture alone. It helps keep the day from feeling like a straight line of “eat, then walk, then eat again.”

If you like meaningful roadside details, keep a moment for photos and for asking the guide what it is and why it’s there. If you don’t, you can just treat it as a quick check-in before the main New Norcia segment.

New Norcia: Spanish-style outback monastery life and Benedictine Abbey entry

New Norcia is the afternoon highlight, with about 2 hours in town plus additional time at the visitor centre.

You arrive in a place described as the only working, living monastic town in the country, and that description matters. You’re not visiting a monastery that’s purely ceremonial; you’re walking in a real town where monastic life is part of the identity. The overview also frames it as a Spanish-style outback monastery, which gives you the right mental picture: the buildings and atmosphere don’t feel like typical Aussie heritage buildings.

What I find useful here is the combination of:

• time to roam New Norcia streets on your own, and
• a focused monastery experience with entry to the Benedictine Abbey.

After roaming, you’ll also spend around 15 minutes at the New Norcia Visitor Centre. This is a practical stop because it’s where the town’s everyday products show up. The shop includes monastery bread and hand crafted olive oil, so you can bring home something that feels tied to the place, not just a generic souvenir.

A quick tip: keep your shoes comfortable for walking around town. Even if the distance isn’t huge, you want a steady grip if the ground is dry.

Abbey Ale, gin and tonic, or non-alcoholic OJ: your included end-of-day drink

Before heading back toward Perth, you’ll get a included tasting drink around 15 minutes at the end of the day. This part is easy to underestimate, but it’s one of those small touches that makes the stop feel like an ending, not a rush-to-the-bus finish.

You’ll enjoy a complimentary Abby Ale brewed from the monks’ original recipe. The wording includes the idea that it’s the monks’ recipe, which gives it extra character compared with a generic brewery sample. If you’re not in the mood for alcohol, you can choose a non-alcoholic option: Australian squeezed OJ. There’s also an option for a gin and tonic.

If you’re driving yourself in Perth later, this is a good moment to plan ahead. Even though it’s complimentary and only a small tasting, it still counts if you’re thinking about alcohol rules.

The best part is that this drinks-and-goodbyes moment ties the whole day together: farm flavors earlier, birds and gardens in the morning, then monastic life in the afternoon, and finally something made in the town.

Lunch, water, sunscreen, and what to pack for a dry, dusty day

The tour includes lunch, bottled Australian spring water, and entrance fees at Limestone Park Stud, Local Goat, and the honey stop, plus New Norcia township time and entry to the Benedictine Abbey. You’re also covered for sunscreen and water on board, and the guidance is clear: bring a sunhat and wear comfortable footwear you can handle on dry, dusty ground.

Here’s how I’d pack for this day in real terms:

• A sunhat and sunscreen you’re happy to reapply
• Closed, comfortable walking shoes (not sandals)
• A small day bag or lightweight pack (hand luggage should be minimal)
• A light layer if you get chilly in the vehicle’s air-conditioning

If you plan to buy farm produce, remember there’s an onboard fridge. Still, you’ll feel better bringing a tote bag so you can carry items without juggling everything in your pockets.

Price of $182.90: value check for a 10-hour small-group day

At $182.90 per person, this isn’t a bargain-bin coach tour. But it also isn’t priced like a luxury private driver day either. The value comes from stacking multiple paid experiences into one ticket.

You’re paying for:

• Entrance to Limestone Park Stud
• Tastings at Local Goat
• Tastings at Little Eeden Honey
• New Norcia time plus Benedictine Abbey entry
• Lunch
• Complimentary drinks at the end (Abby Ale, gin and tonic, or non-alcoholic OJ)
• Basic comfort items (water, sunscreen, air-conditioned vehicle, onboard fridge)

Because the group size is capped at five, you also get a more personal flow through the day. That matters more than people think. With a small group, the guide can answer questions and adjust small moments without turning it into a scramble.

One consideration is the length. It’s about 10 hours, so it’s best for you if you genuinely enjoy day trips with steady timing. If you only want a quick sampler, you might find it too long.

Should you book this Wheatbelt and New Norcia tour?

Book it if you want a Perth day trip that actually feels different—not just another long drive. I’d especially recommend it if you care about real local producers (cheese, gelato, honey) and you like seeing New Norcia as a living monastic town, not an empty heritage site.

Skip it if you hate walking on dusty ground or you’re not interested in tastings. This is built around sampling and visiting, so you’ll enjoy it most when food and observation are your idea of a good day.

If you like small-group travel with Cara keeping the day moving at a calm pace, this tour makes a lot of sense for your Perth stay.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 10 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at The Bell Tower in Barrack Square on Riverside Dr, Perth WA 6000. Complimentary pickup from Perth city hotels is also offered.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 5 travelers.

What stops are included during the day?

Key stops include Limestone Park Stud, Local Goat, Little Eeden Farm Honey and Apiary, a pass by a 35-meter deep-space antenna, and New Norcia (including the Visitor Centre and Benedictine Abbey entry).

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included.

Are drink tastings included?

Yes. You get a complimentary Abby Ale, or you can choose a local gin and tonic or a non-alcoholic Australian squeezed OJ.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a sunhat and wear comfortable footwear for walking on dry, dusty ground. Water and sunscreen are provided on board.

Which days does the tour operate?

The tour operates Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Is mobile ticketing used?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

You Might Also Enjoy

Great Barrier Reef 40 Minute Scenic Flight from Cairns – Reef HopperFrom Melbourne: Puffing Billy & Penguins Combo Tour PackageCanberra Wineries Full-Day TourFull-Day Penguins and Wildlife Nature Experience from Melbourne