Backpacking🎒In The Republic Of Rathnelly🍷🔷♦️: Top 12 Sights In This Unique Neighbourhood

“Last night I met a new girl in the neighbourhood” – Carole King / Gerry Goffin.

If you haven’t heard about the Republic Of Rathnelly, then you can be forgiven. This country borders Canada in the city of Toronto and it all started back in 1967 when they declared themselves a breakaway republic, rather like Christiania (which borders Denmark) and Frestonia (which borders England). The Republic Of Rathnelly is so nutspacking and wild that even my Canadian friends hadn’t even heard of it. Welcome to Rathnelly Avenue…in the irony of life, it was started by an Irishman William McMaster…

Backpacking🎒In The Republic Of Rathnelly: Top 11 Sights In This Unique Neighbourhood

Backpacking🎒In The Republic Of Rathnelly: Top 12 Sights In This Unique Neighbourhood

“I’m gonna rock down to…Rathnelly Avenue” – Eddie Grant (Electric).

Long Live The Republic Of Rathnelly

Whilst The Republic Of Rathnelly all began in 1967, my journey to get here was a disaster, up there with my last 4 trips which all had cancelled flights, cancelled boats, horrific airlines and strict immigration. Oh and fake visas – you know the type – The Seychelles, Saint Kitts and Nevis, British Virgin Islands (these are countries that pretend they are visa free then they give us strict visa processes (often disguised as ESTA, ETA, Travel Pass, Green Contribution, Travel Authorisation, and charge us to backpack them). Remember backpackers – if you have to PAY MONEY to enter or exit a country, get authorisation to enter a country, fill in idiotic forms that crash to enter a country etc…then it is a visa…

Getting A Seychelles Visa Online

I had been to Canada 🇨🇦 twice before and it was so relevant and happy for me to return here. In 2001, I visited Toronto, Niagara and Winnipeg. On that trip, cousin Alison (from Belfast city in Northern Ireland) got married, I was in awe of Toronto and I spotted the graffiti “Don’t Stop Living” etched in red ink on a High School wall. This website stole its title from that quote. Canada was epic.

With my cousin Gary and my Granny Mary at Alison’s wedding in Winnipeg in 2001

In 2007 I decided to make Toronto the first stop on my first ever world 4 continent backpacking 🎒 trip. I did that because I worked in PR at the time, got a flight from Heathrow in London to Toronto for just £99. Hard to believe but true, through the company Canadian Affair. I arrived in Canada on Canada Day – 1st July 2007.

Stepping Stones to Canada: Toronto 2007

The rest is somewhat history inspiring on my journey. In Toronto on that trip I backpacked the city hardcore. I attended 2 matches of the Under 20s World Cup, I stayed at the Planet Traveler Hostel and it was there where I met Lee Price and Mike Burkimsher, they had travel blogs called Ball Of Dirt and The Long Way Home. I had never heard of a travel blog at the time so I started one, the one you are reading, it’s called “Don’t Stop Living” of course. Oddly, here in 2026 NEITHER Mike’s nor Lee’s travel blogs are still going…yet mine went professional in 2012 and has funded my travels ever since. It’s a wild world.

“Ooh baby baby it’s a wild world” – Cat Stevens.

Lee Price and I in Toronto, Canada – the man who inspired me to start a travel blog

Having a beer with fellow travel blogger Mike – the guy bottom left who inspired me to start my blog back in 2007 in Toronto, Canada.

So Canada was important for me. Yet somehow since 2007, I had never been back. By way of a handy cheap flight I was to visit it again in 2026, 19 years on, to the exact month. In a story for another day, this blog post almost didn’t happen. I’ll write about it in a book sometime, but I made it. Hello again Toronto, 19 years later…

Back in Toronto in 2026 during the FIFA World Cup

Now I was finally here, I could backpack in the Republic Of Rathnelly. Incidentally in 2007, I also had never heard of Rathnelly. But nowadays I buzz off wacaday republics having whackpacked Podjistan, Adammia, Tavolara, Seborga, Austenasia, Romkerhall, Uzupis and so on. Rathnelly is certainly one.

Backpacking In Rathnelly

What’s Rathnelly’s Story?

In 1967, the people living in this neighbourhood declared it a Republic, separate from Toronto, separate from Canada. They issued passports and all the street signs were changed to show Republic Of Rathnelly on them. Plus they have a flag with wine in it.

Republic Of Rathnelly Flag

I wrote about the history separately on this post. But here are my top 12 sights from my backpacking adventure overland to The Republic Of Rathnelly…

On the way to Rathnelly. Spadina to Dupont then on foot.

1.Canada To Rathnelly Border.

With all Republics, you’ll need a border to enter. Rathnelly’s border with Canada is clear to see…

Canada To Rathnelly Border

The Lonely Planet’s Micronations book highlights this in grey on the above map. I crossed the border on foot after getting the Toronto Underground yellow line north from Spadina to Dupont.

The green road in the middle of the Canada To Rathnelly Border

Canada To Rathnelly Border

There are no underground stations, bus stops or trams in The Republic Of Rathnelly. It’s bereft of public transport but by the south border runs a trainline and as you’ll read below, Rathnelly has a green electric car charging station. Once you’re across the border, the magic begins. Welcome to The Republic of Rathnelly!! The post below from InsiderToronto shows the border, location and the entire Republic of Rathnelly.

2. Republic Of Rathnelly Street Signs

Get snap happy by noticing the difference in the street signs and therefore distinguishing the border. The streets signs in The Republic Of Rathnelly read “Republic Of Rathnelly” with the Rathnelly flag in the middle. Those street signs across the border in Toronto, don’t.

Republic Of Rathnelly Street Signs

I backpacked EVERY STREET in The Republic Of Rathnelly. It didn’t take me that long either. Maybe 1 and a half hours. This is a list of the streets in The Republic Of Rathnelly.

– Rathnelly Avenue (the main thoroughfare, the capital city)

– Poplar Plains Road
– Poplar Plains Crescent
– Macpherson Avenue
– Stop Spadina Lane
– McMaster Avenue
– Rebellion Lane
– Cottingham Street (both sides)
– Michael Snow Lane
– Robin Fraser Lane
– Avenue Road (officially only the east side of part of this road is in Rathnelly)

I backpacked EVERY STREET in Rathnelly!!

3.High Level Water Pumping Station.

The largest building in Rathnelly is the High Level Water Pumping Station. Rathnnelly’s High Level Pumping Station has been a key part of the city’s water network for well over a century, pre-dating the Republic’s formation in 1967. The current building dates back to 1906 and was enlarged just four years later, in 1910. Recognising its historical and architectural importance, the City of Toronto designated it as a heritage property in 1985. It sits in Rathnelly!

High Level Water Pumping Station, Republic Of Rathnelly

The station stands on the former site of the Yorkville Waterworks, which opened in 1875 to supply drinking water to the then independent Town of Yorkville before it became part of Toronto. The irony of it being independent back then to the 1967 rebellion is wild!

High Level Water Pumping Station, Republic Of Rathnelly

Today, the High Level Pumping Station remains one of the most important pieces of Toronto’s water infrastructure. It is one of 22 pumping stations responsible for moving water from Lake Ontario to the city’s higher northern neighbourhoods. Equipped with ten powerful pumps, it serves as one of the central hubs of the entire system.

High Level Water Pumping Station, Republic Of Rathnelly

Although Toronto’s pumping stations were once all staffed around the clock, the High Level Pumping Station is now the only one with permanent on-site personnel. From here, municipal employees monitor the city’s water supply 24 hours a day, ensuring a reliable flow of clean drinking water. As an added safeguard, a fully operational backup control room is located at the John Street Pumping Station, the highest-capacity pumping station in Toronto’s water network. Something Rathnelly’s residents should be proud of.

High Level Water Pumping Station, Republic Of Rathnelly

4.Chess Institute Of Canada.

The Chess Institute Of Canada sits on Poplar Plains Road, officially the road is in both Canada and Rathnelly though for this blog and for Rathnelly, I’m nabbing it as Rathnellian. A nice quirk to find the Canadian Garry Kasparov.

5.Mabin Creative School.

There’s a school for creativity called Mabin Creative School, in the same place where the Chess Institute is. I didn’t venture inside as I thought it must be private though I took a few photos.

Mabin Creative School

Poplar Plains Crescent

Mabin Creative School

6.Rathnelly Avenue.

“Baby – this is what you came for. Lightning – strikes every time she moves” – Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna.

The main street runs dirt central through Rathnelly and is called Rathnelly Avenue. To all intents and purposes, this is therefore the capital city.

Rathnelly Avenue – The Capital City where it’s all at.

I found it intriguing that there were numerous flags once flown here, including a Northern Ireland flag which I found a photo of online!!

Rathnelly Avenue archives

Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka flags on Rathnelly Avenue

So as a tribute to it, I brought my Travelling Northern Ireland flag to Rathnelly Avenue for my own photo.

Flying my Northern Ireland flag on Rathnelly Avenue

Every year Rathnelly Avenue is where the country’s annual parade happens. Going by the Republic Of Rathnelly flag, I’d guess wine would be consumed. Online you can see videos and photos from that…

Republic Of Rathnelly Annual Parade and Party on Rathnelly Avenue

Rathnelly Avenue

7.South Hill Market.

There is no public coffee shop, bar, restaurant or shop INSIDE Rathnelly but I really wanted to have a drink in Rathnelly (not water from my backpack). Enter: South Hill Market!

South Hill Market – Local Shop and Cafe for Rathnelly

And so in steps South Hill Market which backs onto Rathnelly and therefore is the nearest thing to cafe, shop or restaurant in Rathnelly.

South Hill Market – Local Shop and Cafe for Rathnelly

Despite its title, this is more of a quirky shop and cafe than a market and I popped in early morning. It has food, drink, frozen food, newspapers, coffee, Wi-Fi and even an ATM!

South Hill Market – Local Shop and Cafe for Rathnelly

Instead of opting for a coffee, I went for a special Black Cherry drink called Boylan Black Cherry Cerise Noire. Currency and payments in Canadian Dollars – Rathnelly has none of its own coins or notes.

Boylan Black Cherry Cerise Noire at South Hill Market – Local Shop and Cafe for Rathnelly

Incidentally there also isn’t a hotel in Rathnelly so to sleep here you would need to stay with a local, or go homeless on the street!!

Newspapers at South Hill Market

Currency and payments in Canadian Dollars – Rathnelly has none of its own coins or notes

8.Hardy’s Corner.

This seemed to be the place where the public mingle, meet up and there is a notice board here at Hardy’s Corner. A few people passed me with their dogs. It’s on Rathnelly Avenue. This community is also protected by a Neighbourhood watch.

Neighbourhood Watch in Rathnelly

Hardy’s Corner

9. Summerhill Nurseries and Floral.

On the edge of Rathnelly by the Canada border there are a few office buildings. The only one that was open to the public was Summerhill Nurseries and Floral. It’s on 1 Poplar Plains Road, where the Republic Of Rathnelly meets Canada.

Summerhill Nurseries and Floral, Rathnelly

10.Electric Car Charging Car Park.

In the south part of Rathnelly, at the foot of Rathnelly Avenue I was surprised to see a green electric car charging car park!! I have only ever been in an electric car once, a Tesla in Corsica!

Electric Car Charging Car Park in The Republic Of Rathnelly

My first time in an electric car – a Tesla in Corsica, 2026

It’s quite possible that Rathnelly is the only Republic in the world with no buses, trams, trains, taxi points yet they have a very modern electric car charging point. A nice quirk.

Electric Car Charging Car Park in The Republic Of Rathnelly

11. Affluent Housing

Before backpacking Rathnelly, I had no idea what the housing would be like. As you can tell, the houses are fancy, it’s an affluent neighbourhood and with a neighbourhood watch scheme, this could be the coolest place in Toronto to live.

Affluent Housing on Rathnelly Avenue

Affluent Housing

Backpacking In Rathnelly – Affluent Housing

12. Passports, Entry Stamp And Souvenir Shop

Sadly not. This is a red herring. They did issue passports in the past but those are rare. There was no border control, no passport stamp and no souvenir shop. A shame, it would be a great tourist pull. As a consolation though, South Hill Market has a loyalty card they stamp every time you buy something from the hot food counter from a company called Black Camel. I had a free breakfast at the Planet Traveler Hostel and wasn’t hungry, just thirsty in the heat. But if you want, get the loyalty card, buy some hot food and get a border stamp for Rathnelly. Perhaps I regret not getting a stamp though I did keep a card as a souvenir.