[1] In 1872, Adams left Maryborough and moved to Bundaberg, where he purchased the sugar cane farm, Somerville Plantation, at Barolin.

Adams quickly became involved in local affairs, serving as president of the School of Arts for 5 years and also as a member of the Hospital Committee.

[1][2][3] When the Borough of Bundaberg was established for local government in 1881, Adams was one of the first aldermen elected and served twice as its mayor in 1882 and 1883.

[1] On 5 June 1886, Thomas McIlwraith, the then Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Mulgrave, resigned.

Despite torrential rain, the funeral procession to the cemetery comprised hundreds of people and was nearly a mile long; all businesses were closed for the afternoon.

[1][7][8] Walter Adams was a generous man and made many donations, including the land on which Shalom Catholic College was established.