Taupo Museum covers the district's Māori history, the volcanic geology of the Central Plateau, and the European settler period, with a particular focus on the 19th-century New Zealand Wars that left a deep mark on this region. The collection is well curated for a small regional museum and makes a rewarding two-hour visit on a rainy day.
The highlight is a carved meeting house, beautifully detailed and explained with good contextual material. The geology section does an impressive job of conveying the sheer scale of the volcanic system beneath the lake and the catastrophic eruptions that have shaped the landscape. The museum is free to enter, though a donation is encouraged.