4 Australian 'micronations' you've never heard of

Ever feeling like shunning the powers that be and making your own rules? Here are four Australian ‘micronations’ who have done precisely that.

1. The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands

In response to the government’s refusal to acknowledge gay marriage, a group of activists declared a cluster of Coral Sea islands off northeast Queensland a micronation in 2004. Anyone who is gay is granted citizenship and the islets even have their own national stamps.

2. The Murrawarri Republic

It may have only been declared in 2013, but for locals it’s been around for thousands of years. Claiming an 81-square-kilometre territory across the Queensland and NSW border (not yet recognised by the government), it’s the traditional land for the Murrawarri people and is open to both indigenous and non-indigenous.

3. Principality of Wy

What started as a dispute between artist Paul Delprat and Sydney’s Mosman Council turned into the makings of a micronation. The conflict began when Delprat was denied approval to construct a new driveway, an issue that dragged on for 11 years when his 750-square-metre property was seceded from Australia.

4. The Grand Duchy of Avram

Founded by anti-taxation campaigner and former state parliament member John Charlton Rudge, Avram began in the early ’80s. Although it doesn’t cover a physical land territory, the Royal Bank of Avram once resided in George Town on Tassie’s north coast, which saw Rudge in hot water for printing his own money.

MORE: Hutt River Province, Australia’s original principality