In 1854 he bought Bundaleer station from J. B. Hughes and the following year acquired Hill River station from William Robinson. Some 10 or 12 South Australian estates passed through his hands, including Wirrabara, Mount Schank, and Moorak near Port Gawler. In the Mount Schank station he was in partnership with Benjamin Rochfort, who, with Charles's brother Hurtle, survived the wreck of the Admella, which claimed the life of Charles's brother George.