For central west residents an eye opening experience could be closer to their doorsteps than they realise at a price that would astound them.

The digs might not be the “Hilton hotel” but the ruler of the tiny “kingdom” of Atlantium, with a capital of Aurora, which is located between Cowra and Crookwell, says he makes that clear on AirBnB which promotes the property.

Atlantium, which claims to be the smallest country in Australia, is often described as a micronation, a term its founder George Cruickshank, or Emperor George II, doesn’t totally agree with.

Emperor George prefers to see it as a lobby group which supports the right to unrestricted international freedom of movement, the right to abortion and the right to assisted suicide.

He does however like to keep the ideals of Atlantium and his AirBnB as separate entities, however admits that some of his guests have become citizens of the tiny nation.

“It’s in a beautiful location, there are some interesting things to see there, monuments and lots of nature that people seem to love and the view is spectacular down the valley,” Emperor George told the Cowra Guardian.

“It’s proven to be pretty popular for 100km around. We are modestly priced and we offer something that is fairly unique.

“In the first year we had four or five visitors.

“We’ve now had about 30 or 40 visitors in the past two and half years.”

And the feedback on AirBnB is almost all positive despite the obvious setbacks which the Emperor freely admits.

“What a magical place - a beautiful location, well equipped accommodation and fabulous communication. We had the pleasure of seeing a wallaby and a kangaroo while there too. We would recommend this place 100 x over,” one reviewer who stayed at Atlantium in January this year said.

The Emperor makes it clear on AirBnB that he’s not offering five star lodgings. His nightly rate is just $65.

Atlantium boasts its own currency and stamps, has its own government house (the Golden House), post office, pyramid and an assortment of other monuments and buildings.

It doesn’t however, the Emperor notes on AirBnB “provide a concierge service”. 

“We do not carry your bags for you. 

“We cannot provide you with transportation to local attractions or public transport hubs.

“If you require that level of service please do NOT book with us,” he warns.

While admitting it does help service the expenses of running his own country Emperor George admits his AirBnB enterprise “is never going to be something I can retire on”.

It is however, he says, a nice way to share something he thinks is spectacular in a way which earns a little money to cover his operating costs.

But at the same time he agrees the venture is tied up with his politics, “a lobby group that takes a fairly unique form”.

Atlantium has currently suspended citizenship applications due to overwhelming demand created by exposure in the national and international media over the past 12 months.

“We’ve actually suspended applications for about a year now,” Emperor George said.

“We had a great deal of media coverage and we were simply overwhelmed by applicants.”

The media coverage, which started with the making of a short film and appearances on the ABC, Sunrise and radio created a wave of excitement which soon spread globally.

“We can’t possibly process thousands and thousands of applications.

“We’ve put a hold on that but we will be opening things up again at some point within the next year, we need to automate a few things first,” Emperor George said for anyone interested in joining his nation.

If you visit Atlantium, Emperor George, if he’s in residence, although he does try to be away when guests make a booking, is the one with the sashes and bling that monarchs usually wear.

Until then you can keep abreast of Atlantium and its little piece of a country within a country on its webpage or on facebook.

According to Atlantium’s facebook page the nation was founded on November 27, 1981 by three Sydney teenagers, there are now more than 2000 Atlantian citizens living in over 100 countries.

“Our global capital, Concordia, is situated 300 kilometres southwest of Sydney, within a 0.76 square kilometre extraterritorial pastoral estate known as the Province of Aurora,” it says on the group’s facebook page.

“Aurora is roughly twice the size of the Vatican and half the size of Monaco, and is currently being developed as a unique eco-tourism destination. 

“The province is also the site of our Government House - the Domus Aurea (the Golden House) - and a growing number of commemorative monuments,” the group says.

Emperor George expressed strong views on US president Donald Trump and his proposed wall between the United States and Mexico during his discussion with the Cowra Guardian.

His views will appear in a future edition of the Cowra Guardian.