Robertson Nature Reserve

The Robertson Nature Reserve is a protected rainforest nature reserve that is located in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 5.3 ha reserve is situated near on the edge of the Illawarra Escarpment and is a remnant of the Yarrawa Brush, once 2450 ha in size.

Features
A 600 m track through the forest is suitable to wheelchairs, with several signs with information on local plants and animals. The reserve is situated on the outskirts of Robertson, at 750 m above sea level.

Despite the relatively rich basaltic soils, and 1600 mm of average annual rainfall, the rainforest has a low 15 m canopy, with only a few trees taller than 20 m. Because of small size and isolation, the reserve is subject to weed attack. Chinese Privet and Glossy Privet, Holly and Himalayan Blackberry being particularly troublesome.

The rainforest is categorised as warm temperate rainforest, (not cool temperate), with the canopy dominated by trees such as Golden Sassafras, Coachwood, Lilly Pilly, Native Daphne, Possumwood, Beefwood, Featherwood and Blackwood. Genuine cool temperate rainforest trees such as Pinkwood and Black Olive Berry are either absent or inconspicuous. A common tree species is the Brown Beech, usually associated with tropical or sub-tropical rainforests.