After enjoying sunset cocktails and the 360 degree view from former Noosan Chris de Aboitiz’s private residence at the very apex of The Summit 1770, we walked back down a tier to the beautifully-appointed Dingo Den, one of three Summit Cottages, a little apprehensive about the prospect of sleep for the night ahead.
As we had toasted our good fortune to be watching Agnes Water turn to gold from mountains to sea in the last light of day, the owners and staff of Rococo Bar and Restaurant on Hastings Street were setting up for the mother of all night-long parties, a celebration of the end of Covid (maybe), the end of the summer holiday season and the sale of the business. While we drank, a cocktail bar, dance floor and lighting system went up on the grass around us as 30 or so elegantly-dressed revellers made ready to rave.
The Summit is a bit like this: you have to expect the unexpected, whether it’s an impromptu dog whispering exhibition from Chris or an all-night rave. But to be honest even the bass notes shaking our cottage didn’t keep me awake for long, and when a torrential downpour forced the party indoors, the night was silent again.
Although we are regular visitors to the Discovery Coast, this was only the second time we had stayed at The Summit Cottages since they were built three years ago, and much has changed since then.
In 2019 I wrote: “To be honest, we were imposters at The Summit 1770. We tried to hide it from fellow guests at this stunning hilltop accommodation, but it didn’t take long for them to notice that in the matter of man’s best friend, we were seriously canine-deficient. It was a nice twist, being on the outer for not bringing your dog to an upmarket boutique resort, but owner Chris de Aboitiz insisted that four-legged friends were optional. After a few days spent at The Summit, I can honestly say that one of the great pleasures of being there was seeing so many dogs having an actual holiday – not just waiting around while their owners had one!
“While hardly unique, the concept of dog-friendly accommodation has taken on new meaning under Chris, the former world tandem surfing champion and one of the leading all-round watermen in the world, who has perhaps become best known in recent years for his dog-surfing exploits, seen at events like the Noosa Festival of Surfing, and on numerous hugely-viewed clips on social media. Chris has managed to combine his passions for the surfing sports with his love of dogs by teaching them to surf with him, and in so doing, he has singlehandedly created a booming surf-dog culture around the world.
“But while teaching dogs to feel comfortable on an ocean wave, Chris discovered that he also possessed an extraordinary ability to teach dogs a broad range of behavioural patterns and skills. In addition to first-rate accommodation and a wilderness experience close to the pleasures of the town, this is what he offers at The Summit.”
And then along came Covid. Throughout 2020 and 2021, stripped of their ability to leave the state, Queenslanders started ticking off more localised items on the bucket list, and somewhat remote and achingly beautiful Agnes/1770 figured high on those lists. Overnight every campground in town was overflowing, so Chris acted quickly to add a dog-friendly family eco-park at the front of the 40-acre property, offering 10 spacious powered sites with concrete slab, 240-watt power and rain water tap connections. There are also five unpowered, grassed sites suitable for tents or self-sufficient rigs.
Chris has also built a well-appointed amenities block, with a communal kitchen, outdoor dining area and a fire pit for those year-round sunset drinks and nibbles with friends, as well as a couple of funky accommodation options, including a beautifully repurposed school bus.
We loved our stay in the Dingo Den, less than five minutes from town and the beach and yet in a world of its own, perfect for bush walks (dog or no dog) or the simple pleasure of rising early and watching the sunrise over Bustard Bay.
For more information about The Summit 1770, visit thesummit1770.com.au
