About Us

The 8 acres of garden displays continues to grow and is the result of one man's dream, a lot of hard work and determination.

Jim Hall's passion for cacti was initiated by his father’s collection when he was a child. He perceived there was a genuine fascination for people who came to his father’s garden who were amazed by the different shapes and colors of the plants in his collection. When Jim's father decided to sell his collection in 1979, Jim decided there was no way anyone else was going to buy them, this was an opportunity not to be passed by. So 3 months before Jim was to marry Julie, a local school teacher, with no gardening background what so ever, they purchased the collection. For the next four years they looked after the plants on their 3-acre property, slowly propagating new seed and planting bigger specimens in the ground to allow them to grow faster.

Of course they still had to make an income, so Julie continued to teach and Jim picked fruit at local orchards and pruned in the winter. This was a frustrating time for Jim, because he could envisage a great opportunity to develop a cacti and succulent garden for tourists, but he didn't have the finance to back up his plans. He worked very hard, even growing tomatoes and strawberries to try and get ahead to be able to finance his vision. Four years later Jim and Julie purchased this property which was a peach orchard, they bull-dozed the trees and began setting up the gardens.

In 1984 they purchased a second collection, which had belonged to Mr. Ed Kroemer, a bachelor from Loxton in SA who had traveled the world collecting cacti. When he passed away, he requested in his will that his collection he kept together. His brothers and sisters took over a year to find someone who would full fill their brothers' wishes. We hope that Ed is happy with the home they have come to.

On October 21, 1988, Mr. Ken Jasper, MLA, officially opened "Spikes and Blooms". Since then the area of gardens have grow from 1/2 an acre to 8 acres, and the name has been changed to Cactus Country.

New expansions are always taking place around the outer edges of the garden as Jim's dream continues to grow!

On most days Jim will be found pottering around in his garden working hard to enhance the gardens appearance.

Julie is often in the cafe making coffees and starting tourists off on there journey around the many trails.

John (Julie and Jim's son) has come back to join into the business after having been in Melbourne for study and work.

Open Times

Every day 9am to 5pm, except Christmas day and Boxing day. For more information about Cactus Country or the 'Sun Country on the Murray' region, contact Julie on 03-58745271 or visit www.suncountryonthemurray.com.au
  Coach group tours are very  welcome. For Senior Citizens, Garden Clubs and Probus Clubs ask about our special group discounts and our Cafe Menu