 In September 1834 he joined the South Australian Literary Association, and around the end of 1835 he attended the dinner given to honour Captain Hindmarsh's appointment as governor of South Australia.On 20 March 1836, Morphett sailed for South Australia in the "Cygnet", which arrived at Kangaroo Island on 11 September 1836.On 5 November 1836, the "Cygnet" arrived at Holdfast Bay.