CHEF'S PROFILE: Jack Mason from Eastwoods Dining & Bar
Meet the chef bringing bold Southeast Asian flavours to Airlie Beach.
More Than a Meal
Visitors come to The Whitsundays for the reef, islands and beaches, but increasingly, they're leaving with stories of memorable meals shared along the way. Behind every standout dining experience is a chef with a story to tell. Stories shaped by years spent in busy kitchens, unexpected opportunities and the communities they've chosen to call home.
In this series, we sit down with the chefs helping define The Whitsundays' evolving food scene. From signature dishes and local ingredients to insider recommendations and life in the tropics, these conversations offer a taste of the region through the people creating it.
Meet Jack Mason of Eastwoods Dining & Bar, a restaurant that has quickly become one of Airlie Beach's most talked-about dining destinations.
Restaurant Spotlight
Located on the Airlie Beach Esplanade with panoramic views across the Whitsunday Islands, Eastwoods Dining & Bar brings the bold, fresh and aromatic flavours of South East Asia to the heart of The Whitsundays. Designed around a share-style dining experience, Eastwoods encourages guests to slow down, order a little extra and connect over food. The menu balances sweet, spicy, salty and sour notes through dishes that celebrate freshness and vibrant flavours, while a thoughtfully curated drinks list complements every bite.
Whether you're gathering with family, sharing a long lunch with friends or settling in after a day exploring the region, Eastwoods offers both indoor and outdoor dining, kid-friendly options and even welcomes four-legged companions.
Behind it all are Jack and Kirsty Mason, a hospitality duo whose passion for creating memorable dining experiences brought them from the Whitsunday Islands to the mainland.
Meet the Chef
Jack Mason didn't always dream of becoming a chef.
"I essentially fell into cooking because I needed a job," he says. "I did it at school and didn't really enjoy anything else. Cooking just clicked."
After beginning his apprenticeship in Port Macquarie, a holiday to the Whitsunday Islands changed everything. Drawn in by the variety of venues, cuisines and opportunities to learn from respected senior chefs, he applied for a role and never looked back. Although he left the region several times in search of new experiences, Jack always found himself returning.
"I spent a total of 15 years on Hamilton Island," he says. "There's something about the region that pulls you in."
Eventually, he and his wife Kirsty saw an opportunity to bring something different to Airlie Beach. Eastwoods was born from a desire to create the kind of venue they would seek out themselves: relaxed yet refined, where bold South East Asian flavours are matched by a sense of warmth and ease that invites guests to settle in and stay awhile.
"We tried to create a venue and a space that we actually want to go to and a dining experience we want to share. That's what hospitality is all about."
In Conversation with Jack Mason
The Journey Here
The Whitsundays may be known for attracting visitors, but for Jack, it became home. "The lifestyle is relaxed, especially compared to the pace of the cities, and it's hard to walk away from that," he says. When the time came to move to the mainland, Airlie Beach felt like the natural next step.
"We saw a gap in the market and an opportunity to put ourselves out there, creating something new and exciting for the local community."
The Eastwoods Experience
Ask Jack why Eastwoods should be someone's first dinner in Airlie Beach, and his answer goes far beyond the food. "We focus on creating the full experience," Jack says. "Warm, inviting ambience, music that matches the energy of the room and genuine service from a team that knows our menu inside out."
He credits much of the restaurant's success to the support of locals and tourism operators. "So many guests arrive telling us their taxi driver, bus driver or accommodation reception recommended us. That local support means everything."
By the end of the night, his goal is simple: "We want people to feel satisfied and well looked after. Like they've had an experience, not just a meal, but a night they'll talk about the next day."
A Taste of The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays influences almost every aspect of the Eastwoods experience, from the ingredients that find their way onto the plate to the way guests choose to dine. "The climate naturally leans us towards bold, punchy flavours, but with a lighter touch," Jack explains. "It's food that suits long lunches, warm nights and being by the water."
That connection to place extends beyond the menu. Eastwoods works with local suppliers wherever possible, including a local gardener who grows the restaurant's delicate betel leaves right here in the region. Just outside the restaurant, kaffir lime, Thai basil, chillies and other herbs flourish in Eastwoods' own garden before making their way into the kitchen.
The same philosophy influences the drinks program, with Bar Manager Noel weaving South East Asian flavour profiles throughout the cocktail list while keeping each creation balanced, fresh and perfectly suited to the tropical climate.
Local's Guide
When Jack isn't in the kitchen, he's just as enthusiastic about supporting the businesses that make The Whitsundays' dining scene so special. "The Whitsunday Sailing Club has a new menu and incredible views across the Coral Sea," he says. "Anchor Bar has recently changed hands and they're doing some really exciting things with the space. Plus, those views never get old."
For seafood, he points visitors to Fishi in Cannonvale, where a recent refurbishment has been paired with an excellent fish-and-chips menu and fresh local seafood for anyone keen to cook at home. For a relaxed breakfast, he recommends The Fat Frog Café with a beachfront location.
"People don't always realise how good the food scene here actually is. There's a perception that it's all casual holiday dining, but there's some serious quality here if you know where to look."
What's Next?
For Jack and Kirsty, the focus remains on refinement. "We have some excellent young talent and incredibly skilled chefs in our kitchen. Watching them grow is something we're really proud of. They’re the future of our industry and knowing they’ll one day move on & take these experiences with them is something we want them to feel proud of."
As for future plans?
"The goal has always been to work towards a second or even third venue in time. The timing and locations need to be right before we take any next steps."
Jack is an incredibly talented chef who has mastered a number of cuisines over the years. We're excited to bring something else to the region, but exactly what that looks like will remain our little surprise for now.
Build Your Perfect Whitsundays Day
"Start on the water," Jack says. "A cruise to Whitehaven Beach, a swim and a bit of sun. If you're keen, even a morning of fishing out on the reef is the ultimate Whitsundays experience. There's nothing better than catching your own fish and bringing it back to us to cook for you."
Then, freshen up, settle in and let the evening unfold. "That transition from a day on the water to a warm, lively dining room is what The Whitsundays is all about."
Chef's Picks
Jack's Eastwoods Essentials
Jack's favourite: Spicy Beef Tartare
Fresh, bright and punchy, served with pickled mustard greens mayonnaise and crisp cassava crackers. It's also Jack's personal favourite.
Taste of the tropics: Prawn & Coconut Betel Leaves
A balance of creamy coconut and gentle heat wrapped in locally grown betel leaves that capture the essence of dining in The Whitsundays.
Made for sharing: DIY Duck Spring Rolls
Light, fresh and packed with fragrant Thai herbs, these interactive rolls embody Eastwoods' philosophy of gathering around the table and sharing great food.
To sip alongside it all
Trust Noel and the team to guide you through Eastwoods' drinks list, where South East Asian-inspired flavour profiles meet tropical Whitsundays evenings.
Plan Your Visit
If you're planning a stay in Airlie Beach, make sure Eastwoods earns a place on your itinerary. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, gathering with friends after a day on the water or simply craving bold South East Asian flavours in a stunning tropical setting, you'll find a warm welcome waiting on the Esplanade.
Eastwoods Dining & Bar
Location: Airlie Beach Esplanade
Cuisine: Modern South East Asian
Dinner: Monday to Sunday, from 5pm until late
Lunch: Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am to 3pm
Indoor and outdoor dining available. Family-friendly and dog-friendly.
Until Next Time
The Whitsundays' dining scene is shaped by people who chose to build something here, bringing their experiences, creativity and passion to the table.
Through this series, we'll continue introducing you to the chefs behind the menus, uncovering the local knowledge, favourite flavours and personal journeys that make eating your way through The Whitsundays so rewarding.
After all, some of the best holiday memories aren't only made on the water or in the sand. Sometimes, they begin with the words, "What should we order?"
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