McKays Solicitors - Whitsundays

22/09/2026

BUYING OR SELLING IN THE WHITSUNDAYS OR ON HAMILTON ISLAND? 🏡

Whether you’re buying your first home, selling an investment property or making your next move, experienced conveyancing advice can make all the difference.

Based at our Whitsundays office, Senior Associate Ali Ladd combines local knowledge with clear, practical advice to support you from contract review through to settlement.

She also brings experience in Hamilton Island property transactions, with an understanding of the island’s distinctive ownership arrangements and conveyancing requirements.

With our office conveniently located in Cannonvale and backed by the wider McKays Solicitors team in Mackay, you have local support with the resources and experience of an established Queensland firm.

Get in touch with Ali to discuss your next move.

📍 14/121 Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale
📞 07 4963 0888
🌐 www.mckayslaw.com/lawyers-in-the-whitsundays

McKays Solicitors > A step ahead.

McKays Solicitors is proud to now offer dedicated legal services in the Whitsundays, with experienced local lawyers Elizabeth Smith and Ali Ladd based in Cannonvale.

18/09/2026

🎉 WE’VE MOVED IN! 🎉

After several months of planning and renovations, we’re excited to welcome clients to our new McKays Solicitors - Whitsundays office in Cannonvale!

Here’s a little sneak peek at how our new space is coming together. 📸

We still have a few finishing touches to add, but our doors are open and our team is ready to welcome you for consultations and appointments.

📍 You’ll find us at 121 Business Centre, Unit 14/121 Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale.

We’re delighted to have a permanent home in the Whitsundays and look forward to helping more locals with clear, practical legal advice, backed by the resources of our wider Queensland firm.

Stay tuned for more photos and updates as we settle in. We can’t wait to share it all with you!

Need legal advice? Get in touch today to arrange an appointment - www.mckayslaw.com/lawyers-in-the-whitsundays

10/09/2026

R U OK? DAY 💛

We spend a significant part of our lives at work, often alongside people we see more regularly than some of our closest friends and family. That puts us in a unique position to notice when a coworker may not seem quite like themselves.

The signs that someone is struggling are not always obvious. They may still show up, meet deadlines and smile, while quietly going through something incredibly difficult.

Checking in does not require the perfect words, and you do not need to have all the answers. Sometimes, simply asking “Are you OK?”, listening without judgement and checking in again later can make someone feel seen, supported and less alone.

Today is a reminder to look beyond the usual “How are you?” and take the time to genuinely ask, and be ready to listen to the answer.

A conversation can make a real difference. 💛

08/09/2026

TAKING THE FIRST STEP IN A FAMILY LAW MATTER

Separating from your partner can be one of the most stressful and uncertain times in your life. There may be parenting arrangements to work through, property to divide and important steps to take to protect your interests.

An initial confidential consultation with Senior Associate Elizabeth Smith is an opportunity to talk through your circumstances and receive clear advice about your rights, options and the best way forward.

Based in our Whitsundays office, Elizabeth is also supported by our experienced team of family lawyers in Mackay, just 1.5 hours away. This means clients have the benefit of local, personal service, backed by the knowledge and resources of one of the region’s largest family law teams.

You don’t need to have everything organised before your appointment. However, if readily available, it can be helpful to bring:

🔹 A basic list of assets, debts, bank accounts, loans and mortgages, together with their estimated values
🔹 Your latest tax return, superannuation statement and payslip
🔹 Any existing parenting agreements or Court orders

Most importantly, come prepared to tell us what has been happening and what matters most to you.

Our clients often tell us they feel far less overwhelmed after their initial consultation. That is always our goal: to help you understand your position, make informed decisions and move forward with greater confidence.

Elizabeth is available for consultations at our office in Cannonvale, as well as by phone or video conference.

To make an appointment, call 07 4963 0888 or visit www.mckayslaw.com/lawyers-in-the-whitsundays

McKays Solicitors provide comprehensive legal services, including family law, business and commercial law, and conveyancing, to individuals and businesses across the Whitsundays and wider Queensland region.

07/09/2026

06/08/2026

ALI LADD – COMMERCIAL LAWYER

Ali Ladd is a Senior Associate in our Commercial Law team and a familiar face to many in the Whitsundays.

Ali advises businesses, property owners and individuals across a broad range of matters. Her expertise includes residential and commercial conveyancing, business and rural property transactions, the purchase and sale of marina berths, leasing, business structuring, corporate law, share sales, commercial agreements, trusts, partnerships, franchising, wills and estates.

She has extensive experience acting for clients buying and selling residential property on Hamilton Island, as well as marina berths on Hamilton Island and the mainland. Ali understands the particular considerations involved in these transactions and provides clear, thorough advice at every stage.

Ali’s advice is straightforward, commercially focused and grounded in a strong understanding of her clients’ objectives. She takes the time to understand how a business operates, what the client wants to achieve and where potential risks may arise.

Whether she is helping someone buy or sell a business, negotiate a lease, purchase residential or rural property, acquire or sell a marina berth, restructure an enterprise or plan for succession, Ali focuses on achieving the right outcome and keeping the matter moving. She is also a skilled and determined negotiator who takes a strong position when needed to protect her clients’ interests.

Having lived in Airlie Beach since 2009 and practised locally for many years, Ali understands the Whitsundays and its business and property markets. She knows the value of being accessible, responding promptly and giving advice that reflects the realities of operating a business or owning property in the region.

Ali often works with clients over many years and through different stages of their business and personal lives. This allows her to build a detailed understanding of their circumstances and provide advice that considers both their immediate needs and longer-term plans.

Ali assists clients throughout Cannonvale, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Bowen and the surrounding region. Her local knowledge is supported by the experience and resources of the broader McKays Solicitors - Mackay, which includes a Queensland Law Society Business Law Accredited Specialist.

Ali brings extensive experience, strong commercial judgement and a genuinely down-to-earth approach to our Whitsundays team. She is a highly respected practitioner whose expertise, authority and sound judgement are valued by clients and colleagues alike.

For assistance with all legal matters, including buying or selling residential property, or a marina berth on Hamilton Island or the mainland, contact us today.

02/08/2026

WHEN RACE WEEK TAKES AN UNEXPECTED TURN ⛵🚓

Race Week is one of the highlights of the Whitsundays calendar, bringing locals and visitors together for a fantastic week on and off the water.

While most people enjoy the celebrations responsibly, unexpected situations can arise. If you or a family member needs advice about a criminal or traffic law matter before, during or after Race Week, it is important to obtain clear legal guidance as early as possible.

McKays Solicitors has one of the region’s largest and most experienced Criminal and Traffic Law teams. We assist with matters including drink and drug driving charges, licence suspensions, traffic offences, police interviews, court appearances and other criminal charges.

With a local Whitsundays presence, supported by the strength and experience of our broader McKays Solicitors - Mackay team, we provide straightforward advice and discreet support at what can be a stressful and uncertain time.

We hope Race Week is smooth sailing for everyone. If things don’t go to plan, we are here to help you understand your options and take the right next step.

Contact us today - https://www.mckayslaw.com/services/criminal-traffic-law

McKays Solicitors provide comprehensive legal services, including family law, business and commercial law, and conveyancing, to individuals and businesses across the Whitsundays and wider Queensland region.

28/07/2026

ELIZABETH SMITH – FAMILY LAWYER

Meet Elizabeth Smith, Senior Associate and Family Lawyer in our McKays Solicitors - Whitsundays team.

A born and bred local, Elizabeth has been helping clients navigate separation and other family law matters for more than 15 years. She advises clients on a broad range of issues, including parenting arrangements, property settlements, divorce, financial agreements and consent orders.

Elizabeth understands that family law matters can be deeply personal and often arise during one of the most difficult periods in a person’s life. Known for her down-to-earth and straightforward approach, Elizabeth puts clients at ease while quickly getting to the heart of the matter. She listens carefully, understands what matters most and provides clear, honest and practical advice focused on protecting her clients’ interests and achieving the best way forward.
While Elizabeth aims to resolve matters efficiently and without unnecessary conflict wherever possible, she is also a strong and determined advocate. She is not afraid to take a firm approach when the circumstances require it, particularly where a client’s interests, safety or children are at risk.

Elizabeth adapts her strategy to the individual matter. Sometimes that means working constructively towards an agreement; at other times, it means setting clear boundaries, challenging unreasonable positions and pursuing court proceedings when necessary. Whatever the approach, her focus remains on protecting her client’s interests and achieving the best possible outcome.

With extensive experience in complex and high-conflict family law matters, Elizabeth helps her clients cut through the emotion and make informed decisions about their future. She provides honest, straightforward advice so her clients understand the risks, likely outcomes and available options.

Being based in the Whitsundays allows Elizabeth to provide family law advice to clients across Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Proserpine, Hamilton Island, Bowen, Collinsville, Mackay, and the surrounding regions. Clients can access an experienced family lawyer locally while also benefiting from the resources and collective expertise of the broader McKays Solicitors - Mackay Family Law team, one of the largest in North Queensland which includes a Nationally Accredited Mediator and Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law.

We are delighted to have Elizabeth leading our family law services in the Whitsundays and assisting clients across the region, to move forward with clarity and confidence.

21/07/2026

WHITSUNDAYS WOMEN IN BLOOM 🌸

Elizabeth Smith, Family Lawyer, and Ali Ladd, Commercial Lawyer, joined 40 local businesswomen for the inaugural Women in Bloom luncheon at the Coral Sea Resort Hotel Jetty on Friday.

With a beautiful waterfront setting, delicious food and plenty of great conversation, the long lunch was a wonderful opportunity to meet other women in business, exchange ideas and build new connections within the Whitsundays community.

Elizabeth and Ali also enjoyed sharing the exciting news that our new McKays Solicitors - Whitsundays office will be opening soon! They are looking forward to becoming an even bigger part of the local business community and providing clients across the region with convenient access to experienced legal support, right here in the Whitsundays.

A big thank you to Espresso and Bloom for hosting and styling such a fantastic event, and to the generous sponsors who helped make the afternoon possible:

Alysha – Whitsunday Family & Motherhood Photographer
Flux Lymphatics
Whitsunday Family Dental
Bridal Tans + Education
DD Designs Online
Mana Spa
Airlie Beach Pilates - Mood Studio
Total EntertainmentTotal Entertainment
Mel Muntz

Great company, meaningful connections and one of the best views in the Whitsundays made for a memorable afternoon. What a great way to celebrate women in business and the exciting opportunities ahead for our local community!