Robertson, New South Wales

Robertson is a large village in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire. The town is located on the edge of an elevated plateau (the Illawarra escarpment) about 35 km from the coast. At the, Robertson and its surrounding area had a population of 1,865. Robertson is known for its high annual rainfall and fertile soil. It was previously covered by an extensive temperate rainforest, most of which has been cleared for farming though remnants such as Robertson Nature Reserve still exist today. The town is colloquially known as "Robbo" by the locals.The town was once famous for cheese production. Today, the remnants of the industry are seen with one of the old cheese factories remaining in the town; it has been converted into a commercial row of shops.Robertson is now more widely known for potato growing and is the home of the "Big Potato". The Big Potato was built in the 1970s by a local potato grower.Robertson is also where the 1995 movie Babe was filmed.Robertson is named after former Premier of New South Wales Sir John Robertson, whose 1861 Land Act cleared the way for the establishment of the town. Before then it was called Yarrawa Bush.EventsIn February or March of each year the Robertson Show is held, featuring "The Great Australian Potato Race".In Spring Robertson holds a spring festival, with local gardens open to the public.