Our Story

A Family’s Journey: From Barren Land to Blooming, Productive 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 with lots of work to do transforming a run down property to what is here today.

Corynnia Station’s ‘Homestead’ began as a twelve-square pre-fabricated home, shipped from the UK in the 1930s….see this page photo!

On Bruce and Julie’s arrival, it was very run down, mouse infested during a plague and there was a drought to add to the mix. The garden was all but dead. This was certainly a challenging and unforgettable start to married life!

The very old apricot tree was saved and still produces delicious fruit today that Julie peaches for their guests enjoyment.

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 reality.

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 Emily and son Ted, 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.

A Blend of Rural Charm and Urban Sophistication – welcoming guests

Julie has divided her life between Corynnia, her family, her fashion businesses, and then 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.

Bruce’s passion has always been agriculture and it is an unrelenting master. He has seen many changes and improvements in technology since 1980 when he first came to Corynnia to work for Julie’s father, John Jones, who purchased Corynnia in 1977. They became father and son with a solid vision and recipricol respect. Bruce’s dedication has never wavered and he feels incredibly fortunate to now sharing the planning of the farm and execution of those plans with Hamish who shares Bruce’s passion, dedication and work ethic. John Jones would be bursting with pride and the family’s wish is that he could see all that has been achieved over the years.

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 travelling on a small bus to attend Goolgowi Public School. Weekdays were regimented; while weekends and holidays were free for the children to spend outside entertaining themselves, discovering and participating in farm life until they attending boarding secondary school in Sydney.

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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