Upon the death of his parents 2–3 years after arrival in Australia, he moved to Tasmania where his older brother George Hunter, Archdeacon of St Joseph's, had already settled.

He became engaged in the Huon Valley timber trade for several years, and in 1858 married a Miss Robertson – orphan daughter of an officer.

He co-starred with Amy Sherwin in an amateur performance of Il trovatore, and was leader of the St Joseph's Church Choir for 30 years.

His most notable works in Brisbane were additions made to the All Hallows' School convent and the design of the Queensland Deposit Bank.

[51] In 2006 the architectural firm founded by him (presently known as Crawford Padas Shurman Architects) celebrated its 150th anniversary of continuous business.