On 16 January 1837 the Statesman arrived in Sydney Harbour with the Buchanans and their five sons (also including Nathaniel) on board.
Settling in Scone (then called Invermein), William and his father leased a cattle run in the New England area in 1839 and he later took control of the family properties.
Buchanan was proved correct and by 1856 the gold rush had extended to northern New South Wales.
He was involved in trade with Britain and in 1882 moved to Narrabri, running sheep rather than cattle; he also took on leases in the Northern Territory.
He intended to stock up from his Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory, 4,000 head of cattle were immediately dispatched with Glengyle to be in good condition with plenty of feed and water.