Robertson Cluster
#1 reason to visit… Robertson Cluster
The quiet hamlet of Robertson is the green heart of the highlands; memorable for its authentic organic growers, boutique producers and warm, country welcome! The village is nestled in rolling green pastures, bordered by pristine rainforest and streams, teaming with trout. The local food experience is all about community – from the Saturday morning Crop-Swap of surplus farm and garden produce to the Sunday market where you’ll meet different hobby farmers each week, alongside local legends like Robertson’s potato grower!
Community hubs like the upbeat, retro Rockabella’s Diner and cosy, rustic- country Robertson Inn showcase an abundance of local small-farm produce on their daily blackboard specials. The Old Robertson Cheese Factory, gourmet emporium, specialises in ‘off the farm’ cheeses and all-natural gelato made fresh local fruit and whole milk from the neighbouring dairy.
Fresh local produce is also the defining ingredient for destination dining in grand, ‘Gatsby-style’ at The Robertson Hotel – once considered ‘the most luxurious hotel in the commonwealth’.
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Chiron’s Garden Asian Pear Farm
Chiron’s Garden is a family run Asian pear orchard on 100 acres in the village of Robertson. They have over 4,000 Asian pear trees as well as apples, chestnuts, geese and grapes. The Lim family who also run the local medical practice see their farming practice as a natural extension of their medical practice, approaching the stewardship of the land holistically and in relationship to nature, the seasons and the local community. Join the farm mailing list to be notified of farm events such as pear pickings, cider pressings, luncheons, performances and other shenanigans.
Open Farm Days: First Sunday of every month during harvest season (Feb-May) and by appointment at other times
Address: 277 Fountaindale Rd, Robertson
Contact: 0422 000 770
Email: plim@people.net.au
Social: FB:@ChironsGarden Instagram:@ChironsGarden
Crop-Swap
This community produce swap has been running every day since 2014 and has become a well known Robbo institution. Locals gather to not just exchange their home grown produce, but connect and share knowledge about food and community life in general. A great way to have a chat and meet some locals. The Robertson Cluster was featured on the back of the Crop-Swap truck in the 2016 Sydney Weekender special on the Southern Highlands.
Hours: Saturday 9-10am
Address: Rockabella’s Roadside Diner – Shop 1, 74-76 Hoddle St, Robertson
Contact: via Facebook R.A.L.F.E (Robertson Alternative Local Food Exchange)
Moonacres Harvest Kitchen
A cosy, country café where the wholesome and delicious blackboard menu is refreshed daily depending on what’s ripe on the vine, trees and fields of Moonacres certified organic farm each morning.
Hours: Weekdays – 7am – 3.30pm, Weekends 8am – 3.30pm
Address: Shop 6-7, 79-81 Hoddle Street, Robertson
Contact: 02 4885 1788
Email: moonacreshk@gmail.com
Laurel View Farm Stay
Accommodation that offers an authentic taste of pastoral living on a working farm. Comfortable country ambience with spectacular valley views to Kangaloon and Burrawang. Ideal for families and group bookings.
Address: Opposite Pearson’s Lane, Robertson
Contact: 02 4885 1385
Email: info@maugers.com.au
Robertson Roundhouse
Robertson Roundhouse is a uniquely round and romantic, hand-built wooden cottage, nestled in magical gardens in the heart of Robertson. The remarkable design is based on a traditional Mongolian yurt and sleeps up to four guests with the master bedroom on the ground floor and accomodation for another two in the open loft. Recently given the title ‘Shangri-La of Yurts’ by Domain.com, the Robertson Roundhouse is available year round for short term stays.
Address: 1 Ranelagh Street, Robertson
Contact: 0411 183 994
Email: jill@robertsonroundhouse.com.au
www.robertsonroundhouse.com.au
Robertson Hotel
Deemed ‘the most luxurious hotel in the commonwealth’ in the 1920’s, The Robertson Hotel has a Gatsby-esque ambience with its character-filled guest suites, decadent log fires and rambling gardens bordered by rainforest. Experience ‘White Room’ dining or a cheese plate in the intimate ‘Salon’. Stay for the weekend, enjoy a leisurely dinner or linger in the ambient bar. Devonshire tea is also available on a Saturday.
Hours: Accomodation – Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Dinner – Friday and Saturday night from 6pm (bookings essential)
Bar – Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 4pm – snack menu,cocktails and absinthe dispensary
Devonshire tea – Saturday 11-3pm
Address: 1 Fountaindale Road Robertson, (corner Illawarra highway)
Contact: 02 4885 1111
Email: info@TheRobertsonHotel.com
The Robertson Inn
Australia’s last remaining, fully wood-constructed hotel surprises with conservatory-style dining, cosy wood fires, a kids play area and a fresh take on country pub fare, featuring locally grown produce and hosting grower lunches.
Hours: Open 7 days from 11am (Monday Noon)
Address: 89 Hoddle Street, Robertson
Contact: 4885 1202
Email: info@robertsoninn.com.au
Robertson Country Market
On the second Sunday of each month The Village Market on Hoddle St is a must for local, small farm produce and authentic country cookery that you won’t find anywhere else, from famous Robertson Potatoes and local organic garlic in season to local-fruit leathers and farmhouse teacakes.
Hours: The Robertson Country Market is held at the School of Arts on the 2nd Sunday of each month excluding January from 9am-2pm.
Address: Robertson School of Arts, Illawarra Highway, Robertson
Contact: 0408 238 575
Robertson Pie Shop
The ideal road-stop on your way through town, baking more than 24 varieties of piping-hot pies, from a grab & go Breakfast Pie and old fashioned favourites like Steak & Kidney to more exotic options like Moroccan Beef plus delicious local-fruit pies and shaded picnic-tables on site.
Hours: Monday to Friday – 7.30am to 6pm, Weekends – 8.00am to 6.00pm, Public Holidays – 8.00am to 6.00pm
Address: 4400 Illawarra Highway, Robertson
Contact: (02) 4885 1330
Robertson Potatoes
Hill Family Farm Potatoes Robertson, produces six varieties of potatoes including Dutch Creams. These delicious and locally grown potatoes are available directly from potato farmer Warwick at Robertson and Bowral markets where you can also pick up a few tips on the best varieties to use to accompany your next meal.
Hours: Potatoes are available at:
Robertson Country Market – School of Arts on the 2nd Sunday of each month excluding January from 9am-2pm.
Bowral Public School Market – 2nd Saturday of the month.
Address: 454 Pearsons Lane, Robertson NSW 2577
Rockabella’s Roadside Diner
Retro style with a warm welcome, woodfire and seriously good food this community hub is great for coffee and conversation with lots of fresh local produce and some Southern American spice to the menu, plus irresistible counter-top treats like big, sticky bacon-maple sweet potato muffins!
Hours: Wed: 8am – 5pm, Thurs: 8am – 5pm, 5.30pm – 11pm, Fri-Sun: 8am – 5pm
Address: Shop 1, 74-76 Hoddle St, Robertson
Contact: (02) 4885 1889
Email: elladibella@yahoo.com.au
Southern Highland Springs
Southern Highland Springs offers natural fresh spring water bottled at the source in the pristine Southern Highlands, 740 metres above sea level. Offering a range of products including 15 litre bottles of spring water and cooler rental, SHS products can be delivered directly to your home and office.
When you buy from Southern Highland Springs you’re also contributing to a range of different local causes and community groups.
Contact: info@shswater.com.au
Website: www.shswater.com.au
The Cottage at White Birch Farm
Filmmakers Tony and Anna Williams offer stays at their little patch of paradise on White Birch Farm, in a sunny, country cottage nestled in gardens that are alive with colour year-round. The cottage offers tranquil rural surrounds with friendly farm animals and walks through 12 acres of pristine rainforest.
Address: 19 Lemmons Road, Robertson
Contact: www.thecottageatwhitebirchfarm.com
The Old Robertson Cheese Factory, Cheese Room
The charm of the original cheese factory established back in 1936 by the local dairy farming community remains intact, bringing a unique ambience to this establishment that includes cafe, produce shop and emporium. Enjoy a rich taste of Highlands history in the cafe with an abundance of home made delights; taste an impressive selection of local and imported ‘off the farm’ cheeses in the Cheese Shop; finish with a generous scoop of gelato made-in-house with organic local milk and fruit, then browse an extensive selection of local produce, gourmet foods, old fashioned sweets and a wide variety of great gift ideas in the adjoining Cool Emporium.
Take-away cheese platters are available for a spur-of-the-moment picnic and special-occasion cheese towers are a house specialty!
Address: 107 Illawarra Highway, Robertson
Contact: 02 4885 1168
The Old Robertson Cheese Factory Café
Select from a deli-style lunch selection, morning and afternoon tea, enjoyed with stunning views over the rolling green hills of Robertson. The old world ambience is rich in local history while the menu is abundant in delicious dishes, house-made with the freshest locally grown ingredients. A delicious assortment of French tarts and country style cakes with coffee.
Address: 107 Illawarra Highway, Robertson
Contact: 02 4885 1168
Wild Raspberry Paste
The creator of Wild Raspberry Paste, Penny Osterhaus, takes locally grown native raspberries and creates a delicious and unique paste. Grown in rich basalt soils where the volcanic meets an open pasture, native raspberries have an earthy flavour and while bland to eat raw, once cooked become the perfect accompaniment to cheeses, wines and desserts.
Punnets or 500g jars of Wild Raspberry Paste are available throughout the Southern Highlands at several outlets including Robertson Cheese Factory, Eling Forest Winery, Centennial Vineyards and Il Topolino.
Contact: 0423 167 448
Email: posterhaus@gmail.com
Wombat Hollow
Rustic barns showcase bespoke lighting made with industrial and historic artefacts by former NSW minister Michael Yabsley. The character-filled event facilities of Wombat Hollow regularly host art exhibitions, luncheons, corporate forums and private celebrations with an inimitable Highlands flavour.
Address: 300 Kirkland Road, East Kangaloon
Contact: 02 4888 2011
Yelverton Truffles
The warmth of an open fire and refreshments welcome you on arrival at Yelverton. Then join us for an informative PowerPoint presentation, Truffiere visit with dogs ‘Jet’ and ‘Belle’ demonstrating their ability to locate truffles and share the excitement of our guide excavating one of these precious tubers. This is an introduction to the unique flavour and mystical aroma of fresh truffle tastings and an opportunity to gain first-hand experience with these underground treasures.
Hours: Please refer to the website to see when the next tour is running.
Phone: 02 4885 1924
Jamberoo Mountain Farm
Jamberoo Mountain Farm is an ethical and sustainable producer of pasture-raised premium quality beef and eggs. Located at the peak of the Southern Highlands town of Robertson, the family-run farm is the passion project of former city dwellers Lachlan and Nicole Feggans and their two ‘little farm hands’ Ellie & Jack.
Jamberoo Mountain Farm utilises a rotational farming system that uses the natural grazing habits of their animals to fertilise and regenerate the pastures. It’s this artisan approach to farming that produces top-quality food from their paddock to your plate with a difference you can taste.
Phone: 0422 520 215
Email: nfeggans@hotmail.com
jamberoomountainfarm.com | Facebook.com/jamberoomountainfarm/