[1] Robert Herberston was born on 4 January 1852 in Hobart, Van Diemen's Land, the son of Andrew Herbertson and Christiana (née Stewart).
[1] In 1878–1879 he was one of ten expeditioners who undertook an ill-fated search for gold in New Guinea; he maintained a diary throughout the trip.
[3][4] Acting upon medical advice, he came to Queensland, and for a time ran a hotel in Gladstone.
[1] Herbertson took a keen interest in local affairs and was for some years an alderman of Gladstone and served as mayor for one term.
[1] Herbertson was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly on 27 August 1904 as the Member for Port Curtis.