The original owners of the land, upon which Mount Stuart is built, were known as Mouheneenner band of the South East tribe of Aboriginal Tasmanians.

The name Mount Stuart comes indirectly from a Governor of Bombay (Mumbai) in India, Mountstuart Elphinstone.

The Mountstuart Elphinstone brought the news that the unpopular Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur, was ordered to return to London.

West Hobart gradually developed as a separate suburb, and the hill of Knocklofty progressively became a reserve.

[citation needed] Mount Stuart is a predominantly residential suburb located at the end of Elphinstone Road.