Taupo Museum

Sharing Taupo stories with the World is the motto of this this vibrant district museum. Taupo Museum contains an array of exhibits with everything from Maori treasures, to a ‘cute as’ Kiwiana caravan celebrating Taupo’s holiday heritage to a fishing tale or two.

A special ‘living’ exhibit has been on permanent display at Taupo Museum for several years now. It’s the 100% Pure New Zealand Ora - Garden of Wellbeing', winner of a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show, 2004. The delightful Ora courtyard is also a perfect function choice for an evening concert or a wedding. The garden has been made a “Garden of National Significance’ by the NZ Gardens Trust.

View the exhibitions of contemporary New Zealand artwork on display and for sale in our art gallery – everything from paintings, to fibre art, sculpture and photography. These changing exhibitions are a constant delight.

Find out more about Lake Taupo, the large volcano on our doorstep. This sleeping giant is called a ‘supervolcano’ due to its eruptive history. Now filled by New Zealand’s largest lake, Taupo has erupted dozens of times, some small but some extremely large. The last eruption from Taupo volcano was in 181 AD and is said to be the most violent to have occurred in the world in the last 5000 years.

Rainy day or not up to the actual walk, then take a tour of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in our geology section and explore this international visitor attraction ‘virtually’ on computer.
Close to 100 timber mills, big and small, operated in the indigenous forests around Lake Taupo for decades up until the late 1970s. See the tools of their trade and immerse yourself in the stories of their conquests. View Stott's Mill, a diorama (one-sixty fourth full size - 1:64) of a typical central North Island sawmill and tramway, which brings the old industry to life.

Join us on a heritage walk in the historic area outside our door for one hour, every Sunday at 2pm. The walking tour includes art in the park, the old Armed Constabulary Redoubt and Taupo’s picturesque Boat Harbour.

There’s a children’s activity area and plenty of engaging displays for our younger visitors.
The Museum has a variety of parts to hire for weddings, dinners, drinks etc including the Ora Garden.