The Big Potato

Robertson
Small township near the edge of the Southern Highlands noted for its rich soils and undulating landscape. Famous as the setting for the movie Babe
Located 128 kilometres from Sydney and some 730 metres above sea-level (although the coastal towns of Shellharbour and Kiama are only a half an hour away) Robertson is a small, quiet village on the Illawarra Highway just west of the Illawarra escarpment and Macquarie Pass which functions as a link between the South Coast and the Highlands. Consequently there are spectacular views across the coastal plain to the Pacific Ocean from some of the town's vantage points.

The town is noted for its distinctive red volcanic basalt soil which is known as Robertson soil. The combination of this soil, a good rainfall and cool winters has made the town the centre of the largest potato-growing area in NSW. In fact, as is the wont with Australian country towns, the main street boasts a large brown, cylindrical object which, although not marked, one assumes is ŒThe Big Potato¹.

The town is also the centre of a dairy industry with an old dairy factory at the eastern end of the town. It was also the setting for the very European-English countryside of the Australian movie Babe.

The main street of Robertson

If you turn south on Meryla Street and drive out to the cemetery you get an excellent view over the dairy lands of the area which have a distinctively English feel about them.

Charles Throsby passing south from the Moss Vale area to Kangaroo Valley in 1818, en route to Jervis Bay, sent his servant Joseph Wild off with some local Aborigines to have a look at the area east of Moss Vale which became known as the Yarrawa Brush. With the help of local Aborigines Throsby later found a route up from the Illawarra.

Surveyor Robert Hoddle and a gang of convicts cut a bridle path down the slopes in 1830 as part of a track intended to join the Cowpastures (Camden) to Kiama and Gerringong. He described the Yarrawa Brush as 'the most formidable brush I have ever seen. The vines so thickly entwined around the huge trees and small as to render the sun obscure at the time it shone with great brilliancy'.

It was the town's rich soil which fostered the dense rainforest which once covered the entire plateau and which kept the settlers away for so long after it was discovered. But, in the end, they destroyed nearly all of it to establish their homes and farms.

It was the 1861 Land Act of Sir John Robertson (former Premier of NSW) which cleared the way for the establishment of the town which took his name. It provided for free selection before survey of unreserved blocks of crown land at £1 per acre with a 25 per cent down payment and the rest to be paid at leisure provided the owner lived on the land for three years and made certain improvements to it.

In 1862 Kiama alderman John Hanrahan and his brother-in-law William Davis investigated the Yarrawah Brush, found and followed Hoddle's track, located some excellent land and selected it. This was reported in the Kiama Independent newspaper, encouraging others from Jamberoo and Kiama to follow. Land was reserved by the government that year as 'Three Creeks'.

A basic track from Kiama was cut in 1862, another from Albion Park in 1863, and the new settlement was joined to the Old South Road via Kangaloon in 1867. The townsite was surveyed in 1863 by Surveyor Campbell who was so impressed he reserved land for himself and built 'Rossgol' which is still standing. He drew up a town plan which was approved in 1865. By that time there were 1200 selectors who had taken up 30 000 acres of land, despite the fact that it was a three-day ride for supplies and 30 km to the nearest doctor.

The first lots were sold in 1865 and the village was, at first, called 'Yarrawa'. The first school in the village was built in 1872 and what was probably the first store in 1876. A slab building for methodists went up c.1870, to be replaced by a church proper in 1888. The Anglican church opened in 1876.

The view across the rolling hills from the cemetery

Steam-driven sawmills opened up in the district in the 1870s creating a demand for local timber. Shops and houses began to appear in the early 1880s. A post office appeared in 1884 and a school of arts in 1886. By the following year the town had two hotels, two bank branches, three stores, a baker, a bootmaker, a chemist and five butchers. A police station was built in 1887. After the depression of the 1890s growth ceased until the 1920s.

The Burrawang Farmers Club was established in 1878 to promote the improvement of roads, facilities and farming techniques. This organisation evolved into the Robertson Agricultural and Horticultural Society and fostered the first Agricultural Show which was held at Burrawang in 1880 and was transferred to Robertson in 1886.

Macquarie Pass was opened in 1898 facilitating commerce and connections with the coast and with Sydney as the Southern Highlands railway had not extended to Robertson. A motor service carrying passengers and goods commenced operations in 1912. The railway did not arrive until 1932 despite agitation which commenced in 1872.

Today Robertson is a pleasant, small and quite uneventful rural town which makes for an enjoyable stopover.

Things to see:  

Tourist Attractions in the Town
In recent years a minor tourist industry has emerged based on a number of antique, bric-a-brac and pottery shops in Hoddle St (the name of the Illawarra Highway as it passes through town). Old Time Music Machines, at Lot 1, is a music memorabilia museum offering morning and afternoon teas and panoramic views. It is open from 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. from Wednesday to Monday, contact (02) 4885 1133. The Village Woodworks are at Lot 14. There is a wooden toy factory with arts and crafts and gifts at The Old Cheese Factory, contact (02) 4885 1133. The are closed on Tuesdays. Robertson Pottery is opposite the County Inn, and is open Friday to Monday and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. , contact (02) 4885 1371, and Robertson Recollections at 26 Hoddle St has old wares, interesting books, curios and antiques. It is open Friday to Tuesday 9.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., (02) 4885 1080.

Ranelagh House
The town's most distinctive and gracious building is Ranelagh House, a guest house and conference centre to the east of the town. Built in 1924 as the Hotel Robertson it was conceived as an imitation English Manor House and is set in 13.5 acres of landscaped gardens, complete with statues, swimming pool, fountains and a weir. There are deer and peacocks on the grounds. There is also a craft cottage on the grounds.

The original owners must have hoped that they could draw some of the Sydneysiders who retreated to the cool Southern Highlands to escape the heat of a Sydney summer and enjoy the beauty of the countryside. However, it was not really a success and the enterprise folded. In 1930 it was purchased, marketed as an exclusive country club and renamed Ranelagh House. However, it again failed to make headway. During World War II it was used as a WRAAF depot before becoming, in 1947, St Anthony's College, a Franciscan friary and seminary. It was during this period that the stained-glass windows were incorporated. The house once again became a private hotel in 1972 and is at last fulfilling its intended purpose as a retreat from Sydney.

Ranelagh House has its own platform on the Moss Vale to Unanderra line and hence is easily accessed by means of the Cockatoo Run which offers an opportunity to see the surrounding countryside by means of a leisurely train trip in olden-style carriages (pulled by steam train except in exceptional circumstances) to Robertson or down to the lllawarra. It operates from Saturday to Tuesdays and on public holidays, contact 1300 65 3801.

Illawarra Fly
Knights Hill is located 3 km off the Jamberoo Mountain Road approximately halfway between Robertson and Jamberoo on the Illawarra escarpment. Until recently it was nothing more than a few houses, some undulating rural land and a Mission Australia camp. The Illawarra Fly is a $6.5 million tree top walk wihch was officially opened in 2008. It is the Illawarra escarpment's answer to similar dramatic structures in Tasmania, the Otways in Victoria and south-western Western Australia and, in many ways it is the most impressive of them all with panoramic views over the Illawarra coastline, Lake Illawarra and Greater Wollongong from a 45 metre high tower and two suitably hair-raising cantilevered vantage points which gently sway as people walk out on them. The bulk of the structure is 25-30 metres above the ground and is surrounded by tall rainforest eucalypts. Called "Illawarra Fly" it is a wonderful opportunity to be on the same level as the cockatoos, rosellas, kookaburra and honeyeaters in the surrounding trees. The entire walk from the entrance, which includes 500 metres suspended above the forest, takes about an hour. There is a café serving good coffee and light meals and a gift shop. For more details contact 1300 362 881. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Illawarra rainforest from a bird's perspective. It is also possible to travel to Robertson by train where a connecting bus takes passengers to the Illawarra Fly. Contact 1300 65 3801 for details.

Bushwalking in the area
The surrounding countryside is ideal for bushwalking. There is an exceptional 5-hectare remnant of temperate rainforest south-east of town at Robertson Nature Reserve which provides a good idea of how the whole plateau once looked. To get there turn south off the Illawarra Highway, just past the County Inn at Robertson, cross the railway line, turn left again at the T-intersection into South St and proceed about 100 m to the car park on the right. There is a 600-m circular walking track around the reserve with interpretive signage and disabled access.

The top of Belmore Falls

Belmore Falls
If you return in a westerly direction along South St, past the intersection with Meryla St, you will soon come to a left turn into Belmore Falls Rd. It is about ten minutes along a partially tarred road to another left turn (signposted for Hindmarsh Lookout) which will take you to the small parking area. It is a short walk to Hindmarsh Lookout from where there are truly breathtaking views over Morton National Park and Kangaroo Valley. From Hindmarsh Lookout there is another trail which follows the cliffline for about 300 metres to an equally impressive lookout over Belmore Falls. They were named after the then-governor of NSW, the Earl of Belmore. This isolated and undeveloped site has been a drawcard since a road was established in 1887, although there are rarely many people about at any one time. The Fitzroy Falls Visitors' Centre has a pamphlet on the history of the area and the lookouts. The water that drops dramatically for over 100 metres from two of the falls into the Barrengarry Creek Valley joins the Kangaroo Creek and becomes part of the upper reaches of the Shoalhaven River catchment area. This is an ideal place for a bush picnic. The facilities are basic but the peacefulness of the picnic spots beside the river make this a cool and quiet respite from the bustle of the city. From the parking area just follow the road which loops back to rejoin Belmore Falls Road. Turn right to return to Robertson or left if you wish to continue on to Fitzroy Falls.

Fitzroy Falls
From the Belmore Falls parking area just follow the road which loops back to rejoin Belmore Falls Road. Turn left and it is 5.3 km to a T-intersection. A right turn into Myra Vale Rd will take you back to the Illawarra Highway just west of Robertson. A left will take you towards Fitzroy Falls. After a further 7.5 km there is a T-intersection. A left will take you to Kangaroo Valley township and on to Nowra. Turn right,driving past the Fitzroy Falls Reservoir and picnic area, where there is achildren's playground. A short distance further along is the turnoff to the Fitzroy Falls Visitors' Centre (see entries on Fitzroy Falls, Bundanoon and Milton-Ulladulla for further information on the park). It is 5 km to the T-intersection. A right turn into Myra Vale Rd will take you back to the Illawarra Highway just west of Robertson. A left will take you towards Fitzroy Falls. After 7.5 km there is a T-intersection. A left will take you to Kangaroo Valley township and on to Nowra. Turn right, driving past the Fitzroy Falls Reservoir, to the Fitzroy Falls Visitors' Centre (see entry on Fitzroy Falls).

Macquarie Pass National Park
Alternatively, if you head east of Robertson along the Illawarra Highway to Macquarie Pass, which leads precipitously down a section of the Illawarra escarpment to Albion Park, you will pass through the beautiful rainforest scenery of Macquarie Pass National Park. There are three walks. The Glenview Track, which departs from Glenview Rd (a left-turn off the middle section of the pass when you are descending), the Clover Hill Rd Walk (an old logging trail halfway down and to the right if you're descending) which leads to several falls (6 km return and only for the experienced walker armed with a compass) and, the easiest of all, the Cascades Rainforest Walk (2 km return) which begins from the car park on the northern side of the highway at the foot of the pass. The park contains lyrebirds, satin bowerbirds, crimson rosellas, wallabies, wombats and bandicoots. There are several picnic spots.

Carrington Falls
If you turn off the Illawarra Highway, just east of Robertson where the highway bends to the left, and turn right into the Jamberoo Rd, then, after 10 km, you will come to a signposted turnoff to the right which takes you to Nellies Glen Picnic Area and Carrington Falls. After 2 km this branch road forks. The road on the right leads to Nellies Glen and that on the left to Thomas' Place Picnic Area. A track (2 km return with disabled access) departs the latter and leads to three lookouts over the beautiful falls which tumble 50 metres over the Kangaroo Valley escarpment.

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, Gerringong Falls, Jamberoo Lookout and Minnamurra Rainforest all lie further along the Jamberoo Rd and are all outstanding spots for walking and enjoying the beautiful scenery (see entry on Jamberoo).

Another alternative is the Kangaloon Rd to Bowral which involves a turnoff to the right in the middle of Robertson (if you are headed from east to west along the highway). About halfway along the 24-km stretch of road is the Wingecaribee Reservoir where there is a picnic area. En route is some beautiful scenery and the villages of East Kangaloon and Kangaloon, established around the same time as Robertson by the same batch of settlers.

Robertson Agricultural Show
The Robertson Agricultural Show is held in March. The Robertson markets are held on the second Sunday of each month at the old Robertson school of arts building in Hoddle St.

Highlands Trips and Treks, P.O. Box 298, Bundanoon NSW 2578. Phone/Fax 02 4883 6523 or Mobile 015 244 714 and email httreks@acenet.com.au offer 4WD tours and bushwalks in the Southern Highlands and will pick you up from your accommodation, be it in Sydney or the highlands.

	Tourist Information
	Tourism Southern Highlands 62-70 Main St Mittagong Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4871 2888, 1300 657 559 Facsimile: (02) 4871 3515
	Motels
	Robertson Country Motel Illawarra Hwy Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1444 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Country Inn Hotel Illawarra Hwy Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1202
	Ranelagh House Illawarra Hwy Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1111
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	The Village Bed & Breakfast 13-15 Hoddle St Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1266 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Chat's Country Cafe & Restaurant Illawarra Hwy Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1564
	Robertson Bowling Club Chinese Restaurant Yarranga St Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1304
	Robertson Country Motel Restaurant Illawarra Hwy Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1444
	The Robertson Pie Shop Illawarra Hwy & Cnr Jamberoo Rd Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1330
	Cafés
	Three Creeks Cafe 74 Hoddle St Robertson NSW 2577 Telephone: (02) 4885 1889