When he was around 31 years of age he travelled to Queensland and, in conjunction with Thomas McIlwraith, managed several properties.
He later became a Company director of the Darling Downs and Western Land Co and the Queensland Investment and Land Mortgage Co.Appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council in May 1882, Smyth served for twenty-eight years before resigning in July 1910.
Smyth died in 1914 and was buried in Toowong Cemetery.