Museum History

Geoff Smedley was a man of incredible talent who first dreamed of opening an automobile museum in Launceston in the 1950s. He realised that dream in 1987, when he and his wife Sylvia opened the original National Automobile Museum of Tasmania at the Waverley Woollen Mills site. Geoff was a respected Tasmanian engineer, restorer, and motorsport enthusiast. His passion for cars began in the 1940s, and by the 1950s he was building and racing his own vehicles. In the 1960s, he became a well-known race mechanic, working on cars like the Lotus 39 and Brabham Climax for major events in Australia and overseas.

The museum began with hands-on restorations, where visitors could watch Geoff bringing classic cars back to life. In 1996, it moved to a larger venue on Cimitiere Street in Launceston, and later to a purpose-built facility in Invermay in 2019. Geoff’s commitment to preserving motoring history earned him wide respect, including induction into the Tasmanian Motorsport Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2021, leaving behind a lasting legacy for car enthusiasts across Australia.

By 1996 the museum needed a bigger, more central location. So it moved to Cimitiere Street—a busy place in the city with lots of visitors. A special group of people helped make it happen because they wanted to protect all those amazing old cars. For more than 20 years, this city spot was full of engines, chrome, and cool stories from motoring history!

After 23 years in the city, the museum moved to a shiny new building in Invermay. This happened in September 2019, and the new spot had heaps more space for cars, bikes, and cool displays. The new museum is just across the road from a giant playground, so it’s the perfect place to visit for a fun day out!