In 1863 with government and private sponsorship Charles Edward, Andrew and William Dempster chartered the 25 ton schooner ‘Emelia’ and explored the south coast to Point Malcolm in Israelite Bay. Nearby Point Dempster was named. Leaving the main party to return by sea, they went by land to Esperance and thence to Perth, establishing a stock route. In August the Dempster brothers leased 304,000 acres (123,026 ha) at Esperance and stocked it with sheep, cattle and horses. Charles Edward Dempster was the first to select and receive lands at Stokes Inlet near Fanny Cove. A pastoral lease E3 of 100,000 acres was granted in 1863, however in September 1867 the lease was terminated in preference to lands and another pastoral lease at Mainbenup 25 miles NE of Esperance Bay.
The brothers took their stock overland with minimal loss.
In August 1864 brothers William Simon Dempster, James Pratt Dempster and Andrew Dempster arrived in Esperance from Northam. Together with their brother Charles Edward Dempster they leased over 300000 acres and stocked it with 518 sheep, 80 cattle and 19 horses. Initially they built a rough shack.
Charles farmed at Esperance until 1866. Andrew continued at Esperance. He employed many ticket-of-leave men as shepherds and as builders of his iconic limestone house which was designed by his brother Andrew.