Newstead

After two days and over 60 kilometres of walking, pilgrims arrive in Newstead, a charming country town that marks the final overnight stop of the Christus Rex Pilgrimage. Far from being a quiet wind-down, Saturday night in Newstead is one of the most joyful and memorable moments of the journey.

Pilgrims are welcomed into the Newstead Community Centre and set up camp across the town’s cricket oval, transforming the site into a vibrant, bustling village of tents, friendships, and shared stories. With the hardest part of the walk behind them and the triumph of Christ the King ahead, pilgrims enjoy hearty food, hot drinks, and the simple delight of each other’s company under the country sky.

Newstead has become known as a place of camaraderie and celebration, where friendships are deepened, new pilgrims are welcomed into the fold, and laughter echoes well into the evening. Volunteers serve with warm hospitality, children run between tents, and the atmosphere is one of true Catholic fellowship: joyful, sincere, and united in purpose.

With its welcoming locals, tree-lined streets, and star-filled sky, Newstead offers the perfect backdrop for this final night together, a spirited conclusion to the walking days and a taste of the joy that awaits in Bendigo.