[2][4][5] McDougall arrived in Moreton Bay, Queensland accompanied by Mrs D'Arcy on the steamer Shamrock on 28 October 1855.

[6] McDougall was one of the early pioneers on the Darling Downs where he was the long-time owner of Rosalie pastoral station.

He was also associated with a number of other pastoral stations including Texas, Rosalie Plains and Cooyar.

[4] In 1863, McDougall was one of the founders and original trustees of the Queensland Turf Club, having arranged a land grant of 322 acres of land at Eagle Farm in Brisbane for the purpose of horse racing, now known as the Eagle Farm Racecourse.

The other trustees were Maurice O'Connell and George Harris (all three were Members of the Queensland Legislative Council).