 A Secondary Towns Association was formed in England in 1838, and Morphett became the local Colonial Representative for that Association.In this capacity he often engaged the services of John Hill in exploring for survey sites, while also exploring himself.In May 1839 he paid £4,000 for a Special Survey of of land along the Hutt River, and in November 1939 he bought 8,000 acres on the River Murray which became the Wood's Point Estate.