Hawera

About

Hawera - Maori for “burnt place” - is home to a 55-metre tall water tower built to improve water pressure following a number of blazes in the late 1800’s. Climb the 215 steps on a clear day for views of the coast and nearby Mount Taranaki. Hawera is the dairy-farming capital of the southern hemisphere - if arriving from the south expect to be greeted by a giant model cow! A must-see in Hawera is the Tawhiti Museum; a private museum owned and run by the creator of the magnificent life-size sculptures and scale models that take visitors on a journey through time, depicting local history through the artists impressive work. Expect stories of farming and agriculture, shipping and trains, and even go on a boat trip in a Disney-esque ride through the model traders and whalers industry! For Elvis lovers, pre-book an appointment to visit KD's Elvis Presley Museum, home to over 10,000 Elvis records and a massive memorabilia collection.