With Majella Ennis from Hair By Jell and Jelle Hair Extensions

Majella Ennis, or Jell, as she’s affectionately known, is fresh off a huge milestone, having launched a gorgeous, luxurious salon in Cannonvale after creating her brand, Hair by Jell, just five years ago.

Watching the business grow from very humble beginnings in her home laundry to a shopping centre space and now a two hundred square metre salon has been the proudest highlight of Jell’s career – a string of successes built on talent, passion, and results.

“We now have a staff of eight, built around creating a welcoming, high-end experience where clients feel comfortable, confident and truly looked after,” Jell shared.

“We specialise in hair extensions and focus on delivering personalised, natural-looking results that help our clients feel their absolute best.

“Everything we do is centred around making our clients feel valued and listened to and leaving the salon with confidence.”

One year ago, Jell took her service to the next level by launching Jelle Hair Extensions, so her clients receive the very best products, as well as service, in her chair.

Shortly after, she was named finalist in three categories at the 2025 Australian Hair extension awards.

“It was such an honour and a real reflection of the hard work that has gone into building the business,” Jell said.

She developed her products from twenty three years of hairdressing experience and pulled out all the stops to produce the extensions she dreamed of installing – even travelling to China for a hair extension manufacturing tour, which gave her a deeper understanding of the quality and craftsmanship that goes into the products.

Jell’s wins stem from her leaning into her speciality.

“I’ve really focused on becoming highly skilled in this area, from application to creating seamless, natural-looking results for my clients. It’s something I’m truly passionate about and take a lot of pride in.”

Jell discovered her calling as a hairdresser at a young age, always doing her friends' hair and experimenting with different styles she saw in the magazines. Growing up in Brisbane, Jell trained and developed her career before moving to Airlie Beach thirteen years ago, a community she now calls home.

“Here in Airlie I’ve been able to grow both personally and professionally, building a loyal client base and establishing my business over time,” she shared.

When she’s not conducting life-changing hair transformations, Jell spends time with her daughters Farrah and Halle, whether running around after them or cheering them on at netball games, and her husband Jackson, who she credits as a huge support throughout her journey.

Q: Describe your personality in three words:

A: Passionate, driven, caring

Q: What does hair mean to you?

Hair means confidence, identity, and transformation. It's more than just a service – it's about helping people feel like their best version of themselves.

Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?

Trust the process, back yourself and don’t rush things. Every challenge will teach you something and help you grow.

hairbyjell.com.au

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Win a Helicopter Flight to The Creek Whitsundays

There are plenty of reasons to get your tickets for the Whitsundays Wedding Trail. But this one might be the most memorable.

Every couple who registers for the Trail is entered into the draw to win a helicopter flight with Airlie Beach Helicopters - and not just any flight. The winner will arrive at The Creek Whitsundays by helicopter on Sunday 14th June, beginning their Trail day in a way that very few wedding planning experiences could ever match.

The Creek Whitsundays is one of the Trail's standout venues. A ceremony and reception property, it offers couples a setting that balances the region's natural beauty with the infrastructure required for a polished event. Arriving by helicopter - above the coastline, over the Coral Sea, and down to the venue itself - is a preview of the kind of extraordinary moments the Whitsundays makes possible. For couples dreaming of a wedding that feels genuinely different, it is a hard image to shake.

Airlie Beach Helicopters is one of the region's most experienced aerial operators, running scenic and charter flights throughout the Whitsundays for travellers and event guests alike. A helicopter transfer to a wedding venue is one of those details that sets the tone for an entire celebration, and the flight on offer gives the prize winner a first-hand taste of what that experience looks like.

The draw is open to all couples who register for the Trail before Sunday 7th June. Registration is free for the self-drive option, with bus loop access at $10 per person and the Elementa closing event at $30 per person. Every registration - regardless of ticket type - qualifies for the prize draw.

For couples who have been considering attending, the prize is a timely reason to lock in their place. The Trail itself is already worth a day out: seven venues, curated suppliers at every stop, two bus loops, and a sunset closing event overlooking the water. A helicopter arrival is simply the kind of beginning the Whitsundays does best.

Register now at weddingswhitsundays.com/whitsundays-wedding-trail/

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The Closing Function at Elementa Whitsundays

The Whitsundays Wedding Trail on Sunday 14th June doesn't end when the venues close their doors. For couples who want to make the most of the day, the closing function at Elementa Whitsundays is where things wrap up in the best possible way.

Running from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, the event gives Trail participants the chance to slow down, take stock of the day, and continue the conversations that matter — all in one of the Whitsundays' most beautifully positioned venues. Elementa Whitsundays is a full-service wedding property offering ceremony, reception and accommodation in a setting that looks out over Airlie Beach and Whitsunday islands. The closing function is designed to give couples a genuine experience of what Elementa delivers in a hospitality context, and it makes a compelling case.

Guests are welcomed with canapés that showcase the range of Elementa's in-house catering. These aren't token finger food - they are a deliberate sample of what the venue can produce for a wedding, giving couples a real sense of the food experience they could offer their own guests. It is the kind of detail that makes a venue visit feel concrete rather than hypothetical.

The evening also features a display from 74 Islands, Elementa's onsite boutique distillery. For couples weighing up a venue that offers something beyond the standard, the presence of a working craft distillery on the property is a genuine point of difference. The closing event gives guests the chance to learn more about it firsthand.

A cash bar serves cocktails throughout the two hours, and the setting - drinks in hand, the sun dropping over the water - is a fitting close to what is a full and inspiring day. Suppliers who have been present across the Trail will also continue to be available at the function, making it as much an opportunity for ongoing planning conversations as it is a celebration.

The closing event ticket is $30 per person, inclusive of all canapés, the 74 Islands display and cash bar access, and can be added at registration via weddingswhitsundays.com/whitsundays-wedding-trail/

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Inside Weddings Whitsundays

The Whitsundays is one of Australia's most sought-after destinations for weddings. With its turquoise waters, tropical islands, and towns nestled on the edge of the Coral Sea, the region offers a setting that is genuinely difficult to match anywhere in the country. But for the majority of couples who don't live locally, knowing where to start is often the biggest barrier to making that vision a reality.

Weddings Whitsundays was built to close that gap.

Launched as a dedicated resource for engaged couples and those renewing their vows, the platform brings together venues, vendors, planning guides and destination information under one roof. Its purpose is direct: to make planning a Whitsundays wedding feel manageable, no matter where a couple is starting from or how much they already understand about the region.

Venue and vendor listings sit at the heart of the experience. Couples can browse ceremony and reception venues across the full range of what the Whitsundays has to offer: from intimate island escapes to established harbourside properties, from lush country settings to award-winning resort venues. Each listing is built around the information couples need to assess whether a venue suits their vision, with direct contact details so they can follow up independently.

The vendor directory operates on the same principle. Photographers, celebrants, florists, caterers, transport providers, accommodation options and more are all represented, giving couples enough information to start building a shortlist before they've set foot in the region. The listings reflect the genuine breadth of the local wedding industry - suppliers who know the Whitsundays well, understand the logistics of island and coastal celebrations, and have the experience to help things go smoothly on the day.

Alongside the listings, Weddings Whitsundays publishes planning guides that address the specific challenges that destination couples face. When should you book a Whitsundays venue? What are the legal requirements for getting married in Australia? How do you coordinate a wedding party travelling from interstate? These are not generic wedding planning questions. They are the real concerns of couples arranging something unique, and the guides approach them with the directness that comes from genuine local knowledge.

The geography of the Whitsundays is often one of the first things that surprises couples who are new to the region. It is larger and more varied than most anticipate - spanning a coastline, multiple islands, inland properties and a range of climates and settings, all within reach of Airlie Beach. Understanding how the region is actually laid out, and what that means for guests and logistics, is a fundamental part of planning any Whitsundays wedding. The destination guides are designed to give couples that foundation before the decisions begin.

For anyone considering the Whitsundays as their wedding destination, Weddings Whitsundays is the natural place to begin. The platform exists to take the stress out of the early stages - to give couples a clear picture of what is possible, who can help make it happen, and what the region genuinely looks like on the ground.

Fall in love, with the Whitsundays. Weddings Whitsundays is the guide for couples who already have.

Visit weddingswhitsundays.com to explore venues, vendors and planning guides.

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The Whitsundays Wedding Trail Is Changing How Couples Plan

Planning a destination wedding is no small undertaking. The venues are unfamiliar, the suppliers are unknown names on a list, and the sheer logistics of organising a celebration in a place you've only visited for the weekend (maybe), can feel paralysing before a single decision has been made. The Whitsundays Wedding Trail, taking place on Sunday 14th June, is designed to change all of that.

Unlike a traditional wedding expo - where hundreds of suppliers pack into a convention centre and couples leave with a tote bag of brochures and little else - the Trail works entirely differently. It is an immersive, region-wide event that takes engaged couples directly to seven of the Whitsundays' most stunning wedding venues, with key suppliers waiting at each stop, ready to meet them in the very spaces where they might one day be working together.

The concept is simple, but the effect is something a website or floor plan cannot replicate. Couples spend the day moving between venues - from lush country settings to waterfront estates - experiencing ceremony and reception spaces in their actual environment. They can understand the flow of a space and get a genuine feel for whether a venue matches their vision. No amount of scrolling through Instagram can achieve that.

The seven venues on the Trail represent the full range of what the Whitsundays has to offer. Water's Edge Resort and Coral Sea Resort bring waterfront settings. The Garden Bar and Whitsunday Sailing Club offer flexible spaces and marina views. The Creek Whitsundays offers a touch of country only 40mins from Airlie Beach. Elementa and Yangaro, round out the route with accommodation, ceremony and reception options for those who want to keep everything beautifully in the one place.

Two bus loops run throughout the day, making it straightforward for couples to move between venues without needing to nominate a driver or worry about directions. For those who prefer to set their own schedule, a self-drive option covers most of the Trail. There is no single prescribed way to experience the day - couples are encouraged to visit the venues on their wish list and linger as long as they need at each one.

What sets the Trail apart from other wedding planning events is the deliberate presence of suppliers at each venue. Photographers, celebrants, caterers, transport providers, stylists and florists are all represented, giving couples the rare opportunity to have real conversations in the very spaces where those suppliers would actually work. Meeting a photographer in a venue's garden, or a caterer in the function space, carries a very different weight to exchanging cards across a booth.

The Trail is the creation of Weddings Whitsundays, the region's dedicated wedding planning platform connecting engaged couples with venues and vendors across the area. The platform was built on a simple idea: that planning a Whitsundays wedding should feel accessible and inspiring, not overwhelming. The Wedding Trail extends that philosophy into a live, immersive experience - a curated introduction to the region for couples at any stage of their planning journey.

For those who are just beginning, it is an ideal starting point - a day to gather ideas and start understanding what the Whitsundays actually looks like in person. For couples further into their planning, it is the chance to meet suppliers they have been weighing up and see shortlisted venues side by side.

Tickets are available in three tiers. The self-drive option is free. The bus loop, which provides access to both loops throughout the day, is $10 per person. A closing event ticket at Elementa Whitsundays is $30 per person, and includes canapes, a cash bar, and the opportunity to keep meeting suppliers as the sun sets over the water.

The Whitsundays Wedding Trail begins on Sunday 14th June. Registrations are open at weddingswhitsundays.com/whitsundays-wedding-trail

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Hidden sculptures delight snorkellers and scuba divers

Offering a glimpse into the underwater wonders of the Whitsundays, the Ngaro Underwater Sculpture Trail is more than an Instagrammable snorkelling spot; it’s an immersive experience and living tribute to the reef and to one of Australia’s earliest seafaring peoples.

The trail follows marine-inspired art placed offshore in open-water exhibitions that invite coral, fish, and time itself into collaboration.

Installed in 2019, the sculptures are anchored to the seabed in shallow, snorkel-friendly waters, where they slowly become part of the reef ecosystem, combining marine-grade materials with organic forms that encourage coral growth. Over time, sculptures will become textured with sponges and hard coral, blurring the line between human-made and habitat.

Perhaps the most well-known of the sculptures is Col Henry’s Turtle Dream, a large stainless-steel sculpture of a turtle located off Landford Spit. The sheer size of the sculpture is impressive, giving visitors the impression they’ve entered a fantasy world where gigantic silver turtles rest on the sandy seabed.

Manta Ray Bay is home to two installations inspired by the elegant rays that visit its waters.

Migration of the Mantas by Brian Robinson shows a grouping of rays in motion, reflecting their natural migration behaviour, whilst Manta Ray by Adriaan Vanderlugt shows a peaceful, standalone creature engraved with patterns inspired by Ngaro art.

At Blue Pearl Bay off Hayman Island, Adriaan Vanderlugt’s huge metal depiction of a Maori Wrasse is often visited by the real thing.

Nearby stands Anthozoa, an interpretation of a giant coral polyp which doubles as a habitat structure.

Horseshoe Bay hides Bywa, a waterspout sculpture decorated with depictions of local marine life.

The statues have been installed in snorkelling spots where water is calm and visibility is high. The clarity of the water allows sunlight to filter through and dance on the sculptures, so they can be enjoyed by snorkellers from above without losing their magic.

Floating above the sculptures, you may notice how silence amplifies the art – with your senses being soothed by the sounds of the water as you bob comfortably on the surface, the experience is meditative and immersive, with no distractions detracting from the scene.

The Ngaro Underwater Sculpture Trail was formulated with a strong cultural grounding that sets it apart from other marine experiences. The project was developed in collaboration with Traditional Owners, striving for authenticity and respect. Tour guides are encouraged to provide insight into Ngaro history and the community’s enduring connection to sea country.

Evidence shows that the Ngaro people called some 520 square kilometres of the Whitsundays home for more than 9,000 years, with archaeologists and descendants recognising that their history goes back even further. They made their living from the reefs, mangroves and sea, using canoes crafted from the land.

Today, Ngaro people carry on that strong cultural connection to land and sea, advocating for the reef and the custodial responsibilities that come with it.

The trail can be experienced whilst scuba diving for visitors looking to get up close with the sculptures, but calm conditions and relatively shallow depths make it accessible to confident snorkellers, too.

To get the most out of your trip, consider a guided tour with one of the operators departing from Airlie Beach and other hubs. Trips usually combine the sculpture trail with reef snorkelling and island stops that show you all of the beauty the Whitsundays has to offer – both above and below the surface.

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House smoked Louisiana Chicken Wings at Airlie Beach Hotel

Airlie Beach Hotel’s Louisiana Chicken Wings are a special treat packed with fire and flavour. The wings are served with blue cheese and ranch dipping sauce, providing a special variety of stunning flavours reminiscent of its American origins. There are three amazing flavours to choose from: Buffalo – featuring Frank’s hot sauce & butter, Sticky Honey Soy – sweet and sticky or Korean BBQ – Comprised of zesty house made BBQ sauce.

The wings have received immaculate reviews being described as “fantastic”, “everything a food lover could desire” and the “best in town”.

Brisket Panini at My Rainbow Bakery

Rainbow Bakery’s Brisket Panini may be new to the menu; however it has cemented itself as an instant classic across Airlie. The succulent slow cooked brisket is marinated with homemade barbecue sauce, making it a clear must-have. The dish includes gherkins, red onions, French onion, sour cream and mixed leaves packing a full-on flavour punch. The meat is sourced from the one and only Master Butchers Whitsunday, so you know it’s bound to be fresh, juicy and delicious. A unique dish that every should give a go when they’re in town.

Prawn Tom Yum Noodle Soup at Whisper Restaurant & Gin Bar

The Prawn Tom Yum Noodle Soup is a must-try at Whisper Restaurant & Gin Bar. This Asian-inspired favourite features perfectly grilled prawns, mushrooms, zucchini, fresh coriander and crisp bean sprouts, all nestled amongst noodles and finished with a soft-boiled egg. Everything comes together in their delicious house-made Tom Yum broth, rich with aromatic spices and a hint of citrusy warmth. It’s the perfect dish to enjoy as the evening sets in by the sea.

Steak Sandwich at Whitsunday Green Club

Whitsunday Green’s steak sandwich boasts taste, variety and value. This special sandwich is filled with classic ingredients – Master Butcher grain fed rib fillet, fresh Turkish bread, caramelised onion relish, cos lettuce, sliced tomato and aioli. It is simple done right.  At just $17, it’s one of the best value steak sandwiches in town. Team this up with a round of golf, and you have a match made in heaven!

Curly Fries at Hog’s Breath

Feast your eyes on Hog’s Breath’s Curly Fries. This signature item is certainly beloved, in fact is has amassed a strong cult following. Whether it’s to compliment the 18-hour slow cooked prime rib, burgers, chicken or seafood, it is hard to resist the call of the Curly Fries. To celebrate good music and their famous Curly Fries, Hog’s Breath have launched a special promotion. If you buy a beer at the bar when live music is playing, you’ll get a free bowl of the mighty Hog’s Breath Curly Fries!

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Mandy’s Beauty in the Bush specialises in bespoke florals for intimate weddings, creating meaningful, personalised arrangements made to be remembered. With a focus on timeless elegance, each arrangement is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the couple’s story. Blending artistry and creativity, Mandy’s work is defined by exceptional attention to detail, delivering floral designs that are perfect for your special day.

0419 676 758

mandy@mandysbeautyinthebush.com.au

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Brigitte Peel Fine Art and Sunbird Studios & Co bring a creative spark to Whitsunday weddings from their Airlie Beach studio.

Offering art-filled hens parties, live event painting and bespoke guest portraits, the team transforms celebrations into lasting keepsakes with a sassy, classy and artsy flair.

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Weddings are often a blast for adults, but for little guests, the right care can make all the difference.

Airlie Beach Babysitting by Danielle specialises in group and wedding bookings across the Whitsundays, offering a trusted solution for couples seeking peace of mind while they celebrate. Led by director Danielle Shea, the experienced team of 10–15 qualified child minders hold Blue Cards, First Aid certification and childcare qualifications up to Diploma level. The crew offers a warm, attentive, yet professional touch, with personalised activity planning and optimal child-to-carer ratios ensuring children are engaged, safe, and enjoying their time as much as you are. From tailored group care to trusted venue partnerships, Airlie Beach Babysitting allows parents to relax and soak in the celebrations while their children do the same under careful, capable supervision.

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Elementa Airlie Beach is a stunning choice for couples seeking a truly memorable wedding celebration. Perched atop Mount Whitsunday with panoramic ocean views and lush tropical gardens, the venue offers bespoke ceremonies and receptions alongside luxury boutique accommodation for you and your guests. With flexible spaces including garden lawns, rooftop bars and elegant marquees, personalised planning support, and delicious locally inspired menus, Elementa creates a relaxed yet elevated atmosphere that beautifully reflects the natural beauty of the Whitsundays and makes your special day unforgettable.

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Diamanté Weddings & Events specialises in calm, stress-free wedding planning and styling. Every celebration is approached individually, with careful attention to both how the day feels and how it looks. Couples are supported at every stage, ensuring a relaxed, confident experience from planning through to the wedding day.

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Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefsleep experience is an unforgettable and inherently romantic honeymoon idea. Couples spend two days and one night aboard a floating pontoon on Hardy Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef, arriving after a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Islands and enjoying snorkelling, swimming and reef exploration together by day. Once day trippers depart, the reef becomes your private world as you watch the sun set over the ocean, share a cocktail, then sleep under a blanket of stars in a cosy reef bed on deck, the sound of waves and a galaxy above creating an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience for newlyweds to cherish forever.

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Curating unforgettable moments through music and performance, Total Entertainment have been celebrated as the Whitsunday Shire’s premier entertainment supplier.  With the region’s largest specialised talent catalogue and decades of experience, Total Entertainment’s passionate team beautifully creates seamless, joy-filled celebrations, from intimate ceremonies to dancefloor-filling finales.

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The Creek Whitsundays

The Whitsundays has long been synonymous with luminous blue waters and stretches of powder-white sand… but look just a smidgen inland, and a vast, sunlit country landscape reveals itself. The Creek Whitsundays offers couples the rare luxury of celebrating their wedding amidst both worlds.

Set on a working cattle farm just minutes from Airlie Beach, The Creek Whitsundays is a boutique country wedding venue where open paddocks, a grand barn, and four unique ceremony spaces create a setting rich in scale and soul. Couples are granted exclusive use of the property, with unrestricted access for photography across the land and its animals. With experienced planner Melissa Ardern guiding every step, every Creek Whitsundays wedding promises an effortless yet unforgettable experience, all with the backdrop of timeless, natural country charm.

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