Schapelle Corby's Christmas message to supporters

Convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has posted a Christmas message of thanks to her almost 200,000 followers on Instagram.

Corby, who was deported from Indonesia back home to Australia on May 27 this year, is pictured sitting on Santa's knee, smiling widely at the prospect of her first Christmas in 12 years at home on the Gold Coast with family and friends.

"Merry Christmas," she writes. "Thanks to all who have supported me through the years & thankyou for welcoming me home. I'm so happy. Stay safe through the holiday season."

Corby signed up to Instagram the day of her arrival back in Australia and quickly amassed a huge following.

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Since then she has kept her followers updated on her transition back to freedom, including hosptial admissions, new pets, beach trips and visits with family and friends.

In October the Queenslander - who turned 40 in July - shared a post saying she was undergoing knee surgery following a broken leg thought to have been suffered in August shortly after returning home.

Corby continues to divide the country after being sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2005 for allegedly attempting to smuggle 4.1kg of cannabis inside a body-board bag into Indonesia.

She served nine years in a prison and three years on parole in Bali before being deported back to Australia.

The 40-year-old continues to maintain her innocence.