Design Tasmania
Tamar Street, Launceston, Tasmania, 7250
With a mission statement to sustain, inspire, and create, Design Tasmania (formerly the Design Centre) was established to support high-quality Tasmanian craft and design. Today, only Tasmanian-created items are exhibited and sold here, including the work of emerging craftspeople and designers.
The basics
Part art collection and part retail experience, Design Tasmania is something of a hidden gem in Launceston. Visitors have access to Australia’s first collection of contemporary wood designs, as well as a series of rotating exhibitions. The museum shop is just as impressive as the actual collection, with everything from jewelry and clothing to housewares and bespoke furniture handcrafted by Tasmanian designers. Admission to the museum is by donation.
Things to know before you go
Design Tasmania is a must-see for visitors interested in art, architecture, and design.
Museum facilities include a shop and restrooms.
Give yourself at least 1 hour to tour the museum and browse the shop.
How to get there
Design Tasmania is in the city center, overlooking City Park from the corner of Brisbane and Tamar Streets. You can walk there from almost anywhere in the city center, or take a taxi.
When to get there
The center is open Wednesday to Sunday from morning to mid-afternoon; it's closed on public holidays, and hours may vary by season. Rotating exhibitions change throughout the year, so check online to see what’s showing before your visit.
Museum architecture
The museum occupies a series of old and new buildings, including the heritage-listed Price Hall (home to the retail shop). Specially built galleries feature floors of locally quarried Nunamara sandstone, with walls of cement covered in gypsum plaster. The Tasmanian oak ceiling was constructed using boat-building techniques, and includes hidden skylights and supplemental light concealed above the wood panels.
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