Inside This Week’s Tasmanian Auction Market – 5 Upcoming Sales inc Repairable Vehicles, Earthmoving Machines & Commercial Kitchen Gear
This week we list 5 auctions happening in Tasmania. Updated weekly, this page covers upcoming public auctions across Hobart, Launceston, and regional Tasmania. Pickles Auctions has a regular presence in Hobart for vehicle, salvage, and general goods sales. Grays online platform lists Tasmanian lots continuously. For interstate buyers, note that Bass Strait freight costs are a real factor with a vehicle ro-ro from Devonport to Melbourne typically adding $400–$700 to your total cost. Tasmanian estate sales can surface genuinely old colonial and federation-era pieces, given the state’s long family ownership cycles and cooler storage conditions.
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FAQ
Which auction houses operate in Tasmania?
Grays and Pickles run national sales that include Tasmanian lots. Local houses such as Elders and PGG Wrightson cover rural and agricultural sales, while general clearance runs through regional auctioneers.
Can interstate buyers participate in Tasmanian auctions?
Yes. Online bidding is available through most major platforms. Factor in the Bass Strait freight cost, which as mentioned, adds meaningfully to the total for vehicles and large equipment.
What is the standard buyer’s premium in Tasmania?
Typically 15–18% plus GST for commercial houses. Some smaller clearance sales charge less. Always check terms before bidding.
Are Tasmanian farm and rural equipment auctions worthwhile?
Yes, as competition is often lower than mainland sales, and equipment tends to be in fair condition given cooler, drier storage.
Trends & Insights
The past seven days confirmed that Tasmania’s non-real estate auction calendar is running hot, with three distinct sales channels drawing solid attention. Gowans Auctions kicked things off with its weekly live event in Moonah on Friday 14 August, a broad catalogue spanning antique, modern and retro furniture, 9ct gold jewellery, sterling silver, porcelain, china, and Tasmanian and Australian artworks (Gowans Auctions Facebook, Aug 12). The house has already posted results and pivoted to previewing its next live sale on 21 August, signalling consistent supply of household and collectables stock across the state (Gowans Auctions, Aug 14).
Specialist timed auctions added a different texture to the week. Colville Auctions closed out an 80-lot fine art sale on Tuesday 11 August, featuring 54 paintings, prints, collectibles, and books, with bidding wrapping at 6pm AEST (Invaluable / Colville Auctions, Aug 11). That same evening, Burns & Co Auctions ran a fully unreserved online collectors auction built around the Steven Simeoni Tasmania collection, a high-end offering that closed from 6pm AEST, followed by a related livestream collectors auction on 12 August (Burns & Co Auctions, Aug 10). The overlap of two major timed sales on the same evening forced buyers to prioritise, and it will be worth watching how quickly those catalogues cycle back into future listings.
Notably, the weekly rhythm of Gowans remains the backbone for general goods and household items, while the specialist houses are carving out clear niches in fine art and curated collections. For buyers, the takeaway is that Tasmania is no longer just a live-auction market; the timed online format is now a mainstream channel for quality art and collectables. With Gowans already promoting its 21 August sale, the immediate focus shifts to whether the Simeoni collection results at Burns & Co set a new benchmark for Tasmanian consignments in the coming week.
Last updated: 16 Aug 2026
Rod’s Tips
Bass Strait freight can make or break the deal on large items. A vehicle ferry from Devonport to Melbourne typically costs $400–$700 for a car. Larger plant needs a ro-ro or flat-rack service. Get quotes before you bid.
Tasmanian estate sales often include genuinely old pieces. Long family ownership cycles mean colonial and early federation furniture, silver, and art comes to market less worn than mainland equivalents.
Agricultural auctions follow the seasonal calendar. Spring and autumn are peak periods for farm equipment and livestock-related lots. Timing your search around these periods can surface better quality.
Local knowledge matters. Tasmanian buyers often know provenance and history. If you’re buying from the mainland, do your research on the seller and the lot before committing.
Pickles
Pickles Auctions Hobart is the major vehicle and equipment auctioneer in Tasmania, running regular sales from their Hobart facility.
Slattery Auctions
Slattery Auctions does not operate a dedicated Tasmanian facility – online bidding is available on all their mainland sales.
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Tasmania Earthmoving Equipment Auction
Tasmania Earthmoving Equipment Auction
Manheim
Manheim does not operate in Tasmania. Tasmanian buyers seeking automotive auction stock can access their online listings.
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