Christison was educated at the local school and then migrated to Victoria in 1852 along with his brother, Tom.

Christison thought of joining the Burke and Wills expedition but instead explored the interior with an Aboriginal friend[1] named Barney as far as southern Queensland.

From there he travelled inland for an area discovered by William Landsborough which was regarded as good sheep country.

He went to London and formed the Australian Company Limited, which was granted a lease at Poole Island near Bowen in northern Queensland.

Christison published two pamphlets: United Australia and Imperial Federation (London, 1888) and The Flocks & Herds of Queensland (Brisbane, 1896).