Farming was his major interest when he emigrated to Australia, firstly to Sydney, before overlanding sheep to Port Phillip, Victoria in March, 1837.

[2] He then participated in overlanding a herd of cattle for Lt Alfred Mundy and Captain George Brunswick Smyth from Pyalong, Victoria to Adelaide in October 1839, along with close friend E.B.

For the next few years he combined mixed farming along with his artistic talents, both visual arts and authorship, all of which had considerable merit, but none of which were a resounding success.

[5] During this period he was an activist for the humane treatment of horses, publishing two significant books on that topic, these early endeavours in the prevention of animal cruelty now being recognised at the National Museum of Australia.

[6] On 14 November 1867, aged 55 years, he was appointed Commissioner of Police, succeeding Major Peter Warburton, who had been asked to resign.

Hamilton was a noted horseman, and placed great importance on mounted constabulary during his time as Commissioner, which made a career with the police an attractive choice for bright adventurous young men.

In the late 1860s he introduced the science of photography to the South Australia Police, appointing Detective Von Der Borch as its official photographer.

[10] It was reported in 1883 that he had purchased, for £2,000, William Strutt's 1864 painting "Black Thursday" for permanent loan to the South Australian Art Gallery, although this sale may not have been finalised.