Queen Victoria Museum & Art Galley (Inveresk)

The Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery (Inveresk) in Inveresk, north of the city centre, offers visitors a glimpse into the island’s history, art and science. Situated in a repurposed railway workshop, it is part of Australia’s largest regional museum complex, which complements the Royal Park site.

The Inveresk site has a rich history tied to Launceston’s industrial past. It was originally a railway workshop, operating from the late 19th century. In 2001, the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery expanded to include this site, transforming it into a space dedicated to science, technology and industrial heritage.

The Inveresk location focuses on science, industry and Tasmania’s natural environment while the Royal Park location is focused mainly on art.

What to See at Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery (Inveresk)

The Inveresk site offers diverse exhibits, combining science, history and industry with hands-on experiences and displays.

The museum’s highlights include the STEAM Gallery, displays about Tasmanian ceramics and railways, natural history displays including an exhibit about the Tasmanian tiger, a planetarium and a display about astronomy.

The STEAM Gallery explores the intersections of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. It includes interactive exhibits, showcasing innovation and encouraging curiosity.

The Northern Clay exhibit examines the history of ceramics in northern Tasmania. It features pieces made by local artisans, from functional pottery to decorative works.

Tasmanian Connections is a natural history display that explores Tasmania’s diverse flora and fauna. Visitors can learn about the island’s ecosystems, from its forests to its coastal regions. There is also a display about the thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, which includes preserved specimens, photographs and research exploring the species’ extinction.

Reflecting the site’s history as a railway workshop, the railway exhibit features locomotives, tools and artefacts from Tasmania’s railway history.

The Blacksmith Shop is a preserved workshop that offers insights into traditional blacksmithing techniques. It highlights the role of metalworking in Launceston’s industrial past.

The museum includes a planetarium that provides immersive shows about astronomy and space science. It is complemented by the Southern Skies exhibit, which focuses on the constellations visible from the southern hemisphere.

Temporary exhibitions

In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

This Vanishing World: Photography of Olegas Truchanas
Olegas Truchanas spent 20 years exploring Tasmania’s South West, documenting its wilderness through photography. Born in Lithuania in 1923, he migrated to Tasmania in 1949 after experiencing war and displacement. This exhibition (until 20 July 2025) celebrates his legacy with images highlighting his efforts to raise awareness of endangered landscapes. His work inspired a conservation movement and influenced modern wilderness photographers who continue to document fragile environments.

Visiting Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery (Inveresk)

The Inveresk site is in Inveresk on the northern bank of the North Esk River. It is around a 15-minute walk from the city centre.

The museum is open daily and admission is free of charge, although there is an extra charge for planetarium shows.

On-site facilities include a cafe and gift shop.

2 Invermay Road, Invermay TAS 7248
Bus 110, 115, 116, 117, 770, 771, 772, 775, 776, 777, Tiger (stop: Invermay Road)
Website www.qvmag.tas.gov.au
Museum admission free
Planetarium admission $8, children $6
Museum open 10am–4pm daily
Planetarium open Tue–Sun 10am–4pm