The Banana Republic was a tourism campaign from 1979 until the early 1990s.

A tongue-in-cheek history was written on the first anniversary of secession:

"On May 12, 1979, the Banana Republic seceded from Australia to become a separate country. Our first El Presidente promised an alternative to boring politics. We were offered chaos, instability and colour! How true were those words. President Nehl held his post with great flair for 3 ½ months before being toppled in an air force backed coup which installed President Brebner in Power.

During President Brebner’s rule, diplomatic relations with Australia changed significantly.

A Tent Embassy was set up opposite Parliament House in Canberra so that the Republic’s dissatisfaction with its closest neighbour could be discussed. The Embassy was visited by most of Australia’s top politicians and as a result of this interchange Canberra’s attitude towards the Banana Republic changed from complete disinterest to total disbelief! However, many politicians saw the benefits of dual citizenship and became passport carrying citizens of the Banana Republic.  Messrs. Fraser and Hayden accepted horary ‘Orders of the Big Banana’.

Economic stability and a moderate foreign policy were abruptly changed as a result of a January coup engineered by radio personality Ian Clark.

The youth of the Republic reacted to the heady promise of “fun, sun and rock n roll” and President Clark has been broadcasting from the Presidential Palace ever since.

On this the first Anniversary of the Country, we can justly lay claim to have ‘arrived’ internationally. The Banana Republic is widely known and regularly reported in the Australian media. We are honoured in having a number of representatives from metropolitan and national media organisations in Coffs Harbour today to inform confused and bemused Australia on our anniversary celebrations. Tonight Australia’s Minister of Defence Mr. Jim Killen will be attending the Republic’s First Anniversary Ball.

After one year we can justly claim to have lived up to our first Presidents vision of chaos, instability and colour."