City of Glenorchy: History
Tasmanian Aboriginals were the first inhabitants of the area where Glenorchy lies today. The first European to arrive in Glenorchy was a Frenchman, who was a member of Bruni d'Entrecasteaux's crew, in 1793. An English expedition arrived two months later, under the command of John Hayes. Hayes sailed up the river which he referred to as the Derwent. He named Prince of Wales Bay and called the area around New Town and Moonah King George's Plains. Hayes named the Glenorchy area as New Cumberland.
This French presence was the main influence in Lieutenant Governor Bowen's decision to settle where Hobart now exists.
The period between 1840 and 1860 was when steady growth was seen in Glenorchy, culminating in the area becoming a municipality in 1864. Glenorchy is believed to have been so named by governor Lachlan Macquarie after his wife's home in Scotland. The name means 'glen of tumbling waters'.
City status was given to Glenorchy on 24 October 1964, exactly one hundred years after it was first proclaimed a municipality.