Cafes and Dining Out

First Light is located within easy reach of many café/dining experiences. In Robertson town we recommend The Cheese Factory Café for the morning 'fix' or a pleasant breakfast or lunch. The cafe under new management will treat you to great coffee, fine tea and delicious homemade cakes as well as wonderful cafe fare. http://www.robertsoncheesefactory.com/index.html

"A hidden gem in the heart of Robertson. The Robert Timms coffee is served with care, and the food is always fresh and inventive. A gourmet surprise for casual diners!" - urbanspoon review

For lovers of Italian we recommend 'Pizzas in the Mist' , restaurant meals (try the Prosciutto Pizza) or take away.

This is an excellent restaurant. Woodfire pizzas are the specialty and ..." - truelocal.com.au

A little farther afield you will find the rustic ambience of the Burrawang General Store a wonderful dining experience – Located about 5km from Robertson on a sleepy country road the Burrawang General Store Cafe caters for breakfast lunch and dinners on weekends- bookings are a must.

For more adventure First Light in 30minutes from the sea side town of Shell Harbour – good seafood to be found there, and heading inland 30minutes away is Bowral and Mittagong.

The Robertson Cheese Factory

Established by the local dairy farming community in 1936 the now ‘Old ‘ Cheese Factory is home to fine local produce , delicious café fare , various arts and craft outlet and a great view of the train line which can frequently be seen carrying the coal loads up from Wollongong.

The Cheese Room carries many and varied cheeses including locally produced ‘Small Cow Farm’ cheeses.
The Pig and Whistle Café is renowned for its great coffee and cakes ( suggest the Persian Love Cake) plus breakfast and lunch menus to delight the palate.

Trains Rides

The Cockatoo Run commences its journey in Sydney and travels along the spectacular Illawarra route to Wollongong. The journey from Sydney offers spectacular coastal scenery prior to the ascent of the Illawarra Escarpment.

The line climbs 600 meters through rainforests, past waterfalls and the spectacular viaduct. The train makes a stop at Summit Tank to admire the view over Lake Illawarra out to the Tasman Sea.

Bird Watching

Home to the endangered ‘Eastern Bristlebird’ Barren Grounds Nature Reserve is a haven for bird watchers world over. The plateaued heathland environ seems strangely out of place against the dramatic landscape of the east and west escarpments.

The low scrub is habitat to many small bird species ( pilotbirds, rockwarblers,wrens, finches …)
Many walks are available for all grades of fitness from easy to hard. The reserve is between Robertson and Kiama, on the Jamberoo Mountain Road. It is 16km south-east of Robertson and 8km east of the Carrington Falls turn-off

Bush Walking

The Southern Highlands avails visitors of many spectacular walking experiences. The activities range from a pleasant stroll amongst the treetops at the Illawarra Fly only 20kms from First Light or along the boardwalk at Fitzroy Falls to the intense walking experience discovering the century old steps leading down from Missingham Lookout to the Kangaroo river 600m below (only for experienced and equipped walkers).