Inside This Week’s Tasmanian Auction Market – 6 Upcoming Sales inc Earthmoving Machines, Cruising Hardware & Plant Equipment
This week we list 6 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
While the national auction narrative remains dominated by cautious buyers and depressed clearance rates, Tasmanian activity this week tells a more selective story. The headline act came from the livestock sector, where the Tasmanian-bred Angus bull Uppercut U15 from Cluden Newry stud smashed the state auction record, selling for $275,000 to a Victorian buyer (Tasmanian Country Newspaper, Sep 4). That result, which eclipses the previous high of $240,000, underscores the premium buyers are placing on verified breeding figures and conformation, even in a broader climate of restraint.
For buyers tracking hard assets, the weekly rhythm remains consistent. Pickles is gearing up for its September 8 Tasmanian Government and fleet vehicle auction at Moonah, featuring inspected late-model passenger, light commercial, and 4WD stock sourced from government, council, and corporate fleets (Pickles, Sep 4). Note that this is an online-viewing-only event with tow truck collection required, so do your due diligence on condition reports before bidding. Over at Gowans Auctions, the regular Friday rotation of antiques and estate goods continues to draw solid engagement, with recent sales averaging over 1,200 lots and 400 bidders per event (Gowans Auctions, Aug 31).
The absence of real estate auction volume in Tasmania, with just one or two listings statewide and high clearance, is notable but hardly a shock (Mortgage Professional Australia, Aug 31). It reflects a thin pipeline rather than robust demand. The real signal for the week is divergence: livestock and quality collectables are moving with conviction, while generalist vehicle and goods auctions face a more discerning bidder pool. Watch for the Pickles fleet catalogue to land early this week, and keep an eye on Gowans’ preview list for any standout silver or porcelain pieces that might buck the trend.
Last updated: 6 Sept 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.
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EOI: 2023 Caterpillar 988K Wheeled Loader
Pickles EOI: 2023 Caterpillar 988K Wheeled Loader in Hobart.
Manheim
Manheim does not operate in Tasmania. Tasmanian buyers seeking automotive auction stock can access their online listings.
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Caravan Auction Tasmania
Manheim Industrial auction — Bid Now.
Grays Online
Grays online auction platform is available to all Tasmanian buyers – vehicles, IT equipment, and general surplus are continuously listed.
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Ranger 47 Flybridge Cruiser
More detail
The Ranger 47 is a proper offshore cruiser, not a weekend tinny. You’re looking at a flybridge layout that gives you command up top and decent accommodation below, which makes it a realistic option for extended trips along the coast or island hopping. It’s a single-lot listing within a broader Grays Online watercraft sale, so expect the usual mix of powerboats and personal watercraft to come through alongside it.
Check the photos and any service history carefully, as is standard for a boat of this age and size. The flybridge means extra maintenance points, so look at the canopy, electronics, and engine hours before bidding. If you’re serious, factor in transport from Ulverstone, because this isn’t a trailer-sailer you can just hitch up and go. The auction close date is still listed as TBC, so keep checking back for the countdown.
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
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