After leaving school, he lived in Canada for a period, spending two years at the Ontario Agricultural College in Toronto.

[3] He migrated to Western Australia in 1887,[4] joining his older brother, William Ardagh Gardner Walter (later a well-known magistrate).

[5] After a few months near Busselton, Walter acquired a property near Bridgetown, where he farmed sheep.

Following the death of Sir James Lee-Steere in December 1903, Walter was nominated for his vacant seat of Nelson, and was elected unopposed.

He recontested Nelson at the 1905 election, but was unsuccessful in regaining his seat, losing to his successor, Charles Layman.