Hunter made his film debut as an extra in 1957 film "The Shiralee". An introduction to Ava Gardner saw him gain a job as an extra and swimming double in the Hollywood film "On the Beach", which was filming in Melbourne. Hunter claimed that he was inspired to take up acting after watching one of the leads (variously claimed to be either Gregory Peck or Fred Astaire) do 27 takes of a scene, and thinking he could do better. He took an intensive drama course in Melbourne and sailed aboard the RHMS Ellinis on New Year's Eve 1964 for England. There he won a two-year scholarship to the prestigious Northampton Repertory Company in England. In 1966, Hunter made his first television appearance, two episodes in "The Ark", a serial within the third season of the BBC television drama series "Doctor Who".