UberEats expands to the Whitsundays

A popular food delivery service has launched in the Whitsundays, promising to make life more convenient and connect with local restaurants.

Food delivery app Uber Eats is getting set to launch in the Whitsundays. Picture: Supplied/Uber Eats

The Whitsundays is officially joining the food delivery ranks with one of the major apps announcing their expansion into the Whitsundays.

Popular food delivery platform Uber Eats sparked excitement across the region thanks to advertising asking people in Airlie Beach and the broader Whitsundays to sign up as delivery drivers, and now they have made it official.

An Uber spokesperson said the expansion to Airlie Beach was part of a push to more than double their footprint in 2025 by adding over 100 towns and communities to the app for the first time.

“As one our nation’s best and most beautiful tourist destinations, we’re looking forward to connecting local businesses within the region to more customers whilst also creating new earning opportunities,” they said.

“By growing our footprint, we aim to boost local economies, strengthen communities and make everyday convenience more accessible - no matter where Australians live,” they said.

James Leigh from Dory's Takeaway was excited to welcome the platform to his region. Photo: Contributed

Airlie Beach local and owner of Lokahi Poke Bar Erina Miyake said online food delivery would help her connect with more customers.

“Airlie is such a tourist town – lots of visitors, not everyone has a car, and that can make it hard for people to access local food,” she said.

“I’ve had so many customers ask when I’d start doing deliveries, and now with Uber Eats here, I finally can. It’s something I’ve been waiting for – a great way to get our poke bowls to more people and grow the business at the same time.”

UberEats is now available across the state with new locations including Airlie Beach, Ayr, Bowen, Boyne Island, Tannum Sands, Emerald, Gympie, Kingaroy, Mareeba, Moranbah, Mount Isa, Port Douglas, Wambo, Warwick and Yeppoon.

Uber Eats is expanding to the Whitsundays. Picture: Supplied/UberEats

The arrival of Uber Eats in the Whitsundays marks a significant shift in the local food delivery landscape.

Previously the closest areas where the app was available were Mackay and Townsville with the Whitsundays relying on a small number of food delivery options in the area offered by individual restaurants.

The announcement follows Uber’s move into the region last year providing locals with an alternative to the taxi and pre booked transfer services.

Originally published as UberEats expands to the Whitsundays