A Family’s Journey: From Barren Land to Blooming Oasis
Your friendly hosts and property owners, Bruce and Julie Armstrong, have been welcoming guests since 2008. They arrived at Corynnia Station in 1982 as newlyweds during a drought with dust storms and a huge mess to deal with. There was a shell of a garden with one very old apricot tree that is still producing delicious fruit today.
Corynnia Station’s ‘Homestead’ began as a twelve-square pre-fabricated home, shipped from the UK in the 1930s. It was infested with mice, marking a challenging and unforgettable start to married life!
A Labor of Love
Over the years, the station transformed from a barren, dry landscape suited only for sheep and cattle into a thriving, highly productive mixed dryland and irrigation property. This transformation reflects the dedication and hard work that shaped Corynnia Station into what it is today.
Bruce and Julie worked tirelessly with unwavering dedication, passion, and vision to transform Corynnia Station alongside Julie’s father John Jones. He was the original visionary, having purchased the property in 1977 from British Tobacco – Naroo Pastoral Company while Bruce made it into realuty.
Corynnia Station has since progressed. From a challenging proposition, developed over many years on the ‘smell of an oily rag’, to the well-managed farm, garden oasis, splendid welcoming country homestead, and accommodations where your hosts are welcoming guests today.
A Family Legacy
Their son Hamish, the third generation at Corynnia Station, has become a dedicated business partner. Together with his wife and son, who represents the fourth generation, Hamish continues to build on the legacy of the property. His family’s presence adds to the richness of the station, and their son has become a true joy to all who visit.
A Blend of Rural Charm and Urban Sophistication – welcoming guests
For thirty years, Julie divided her life between Corynnia, her family, the fashion industry, and welcoming guests. At 21, she launched her first high-fashion business in 1981 and sold it in 1999. In 2000, while their three children attended boarding school in Sydney, Julie pursued her next fashion venture. She worked directly with fashion designers and styled and advised clients privately in Sydney and throughout NSW for the next ten years.
Julie’s creative flair is evident in the expansive garden she designed and developed herself. Armed with a wheelbarrow, shovel, cuttings, lawn runners, and limited access to water, she transformed a barren landscape into a stunning oasis. As each project completed, her inspiration grew, leading to the beautiful garden that now offers a peaceful retreat from the harsh, dry surroundings. The unique farmstay accommodations reflect Julie’s creativity, with décor that honors the station’s history. She handpicked each piece from both Australia and her world travels, adding to the distinct charm of Corynnia Station.
An Authentic Outback Experience
Bruce and Julie also nurtured their three precious children—Daisy, Hamish, and Arabella—on Corynnia Station. All three enthusiastically agree that they experienced “the best childhood” growing up on the farm…..other than three hours every day traveling on a small bus to attend Goolgowi Public School. Weekdays were regimented; while weekends and holidays were free for the children to spend outside discovering and participating in farm life.
Welcoming Guests to our Private Airstrips
Bruce’s other passion in addition to agriculture is aviation. His relaxation is flying his 1968 Cessna 172 and talking all things aviation while welcoming guests who fly in to our private airstrips.
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