Hawera accommodation from NZ$144

Hawera is part of the Taranaki region. 'Taranaki' means 'Gliding Peak' in Maori, and Hawera offers splendid views of the beautiful snow-capped volcanic cone, Mt. Taranaki. After you've snapped some photos of the mountain, don't put away your camera just yet. Head to King Edward Park, where there's a playground, rose gardens, a lake and wide open spaces for the kids to run around, or for couples to spread a picnic blanket and have a romantic afternoon. Nature lovers will also enjoy a walk in the woodland of Goodson Dell.

In Maori, 'Hawera' means 'the burnt place' or 'breath of fire'. It's not so well known that the town was prone to fire in the late 19th century and early 20th century which is why the Hawera Water Tower was built in 1914. These days, the water tower is a tourist attraction, because you can get a bird's eye view of the town by climbing to the top. If you'd like to know more about the town's interesting history, you can visit Tawhiti Museum, which many believe to be the best private museum in all of New Zealand. The remarkable, life-sized exhibits and miniature models have all been handcrafted by a local artist. If you're keen to check out some more local artwork, head to Lysaght Watt Gallery, which displays art from emerging local artists, as well as more well-known artists. Another popular tourist attraction is the giant cow – a statue that welcomes visitors on the southern road – which pays tribute to the town's largest industry, dairy. In fact, Hawera is home to the southern hemisphere's biggest dairy factory, Whareroa Fonterra. Make sure that you take a tour of the factory and take home some fresh milk products.

Fitness fanatics: if you don't want to take a break from your exercise routine while you're on holiday, you can visit the TSB Hub, the town's multi-million-dollar sports complex. It regularly hosts sporting events and you even can hire a court or field. Unfortunately, shopping fanatics may be a little disappointed with the selection of shops in Hawera. However, if you want to do some serious shopping, you can do it in Wellington, which is only 200km away. In fact, our cheap flights to Wellington will get you started, and then you can consider staying in one of these Wellington hotels to do some shopping, before you fly home. If you're not too keen on travelling through the capital, you could always fly in to Palmerston North, which is only 163km away. Hawera has limited public transport services, so you're best off hiring a car at the airport.

So, for a relaxing holiday in a laid-back town filled with heritage and culture, book your Hawera accommodation now.

Image credit Karora