Geoff Smedley (1931–2021) was an influential Australian motor racing engineer whose long-held ambition to establish an automobile museum in Launceston dated back to the 1950s. That vision was realised in 1987, when he and his wife Sylvia opened the original National Automobile Museum of Tasmania at the Waverley Woollen Mills site. Privately operated by the Smedleys from 1987 until 1995, the museum showcased rare vehicles and on-site restoration work, laying the foundations for what would become a major automotive institution.

As the collection grew, the need for a larger and more accessible venue became clear. In 1996, a not-for-profit foundation was formed to re-establish the museum at 86 Cimitiere Street, Launceston, adjacent to City Park. Operating from this location until 2019, the museum developed a reputation as one of Australia’s premier automotive destinations, presenting vehicles from across all eras of motoring. The Cimitiere Street site featured an upstairs mezzanine dedicated to motorcycles and introduced four themed displays each year, ensuring the museum remained dynamic and encouraged repeat visitation.

A new chapter began on 30 September 2019 with the opening of the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania at its purpose-built facility at 84 Lindsay Street, Invermay. The expanded site allows for a greater range of vehicles, motorcycles, and exhibitions, as well as the flexibility to host a variety of automotive shows and events throughout the calendar year, including the highly successful Japanese Classics Tasmania. Exhibits continue to change regularly, providing new and engaging reasons to visit.

Today, the museum remains a not-for-profit organisation, staffed largely by dedicated volunteers who support its ongoing operation and preservation efforts. While founded on Geoff Smedley’s original vision, the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania continues to evolve as a community-supported institution, preserving and celebrating motoring history for future generations.