MacDonald prospected in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and New Guinea. Miller comments: 'Macdonald has written adventure stories for boys covering many seas and lands, including British Guiana, the Atlantic Ocean, New Guinea, the Pacific Islands and Australia. His wanderings are recorded in Opal and Gold, 1928.' As well as novels, MacDonald wrote short stories that appeared in The British Boy's Annual (1911), The Australasian Boy's Annual (1913), Cheers: Book for Boys (1930s), The Boys' Biggest Book (1935 or 1936), The Boys' Budget (1935), The Boy's Storybook (1949) and For All Boys (1950). From1923 to 1939 MacDonald published short stories in The Cornhill, an English magazine. During World War Two 'My Mate' appeared in A Real Boys' Book. MacDonald also published 'The Hidden Wealth of North Queensland' in Chamber's Journal (November 1922).
