Olympic gold medallist Susie O'Neill lists her riverfront Brisbane home

Australian Olympic swimming great Susie O’Neill is selling her beloved riverfront Brisbane home.

Records show the Olympic gold medallist dubbed “Madame Butterfly” bought the blue chip riverfront Yeronga property with her husband, Cliff Fairley, in 2008 for $2.6 million.

Located at the end of a private cul-de-sac, the property is set on a sprawling 1325 square metre flood-free block fronting a magnificent curve of the Brisbane River that captures dual reaches of the water.

Bordered by a nature reserve, it’s completely secluded from the neighbours, with an outlook over Sir John Chandler park.

The property is being marketed by high-end specialist Christine Rudolph of Ray White New Farm. In an interview with Ms Rudolph, O’Neill describes how the property took her breath away from the outset.

“It was the view — we liked that it was a bend in the river,” O’Neill says.

“We liked that it was a dead-end street — it felt quite spacious. There’s a park next door, so it feels like it’s part of your property.”

It’s been a busy start to the year for O’Neill and her family, who sold their Cabarita Beach house to a Singaporean-based expat for $3 million in March.

Their Yeronga family home will be auctioned as part of Ray White’s “auction under the stars” event on May 30.

O’Neill says she and her husband were not actively house hunting when they bought their Yeronga house, but couldn’t resist its spectacular position.

“We were always just interested in property at that stage…and when we saw this place up for sale we thought ‘wow’. Our kids were quite young, two and three, and we thought it would be a great backyard for them,” Ms O’Neill says.

“All the trees, the grass, the park; we’re only four kilometres to the city but it feels like we’re on acreage.”

Perched at the top of the block is the original double cavity red brick 1950’s Art Deco-style house, which captured the couple’s imagination back in 2008.

“We love the house here; we love red brick,” O’Neill says. “It’s extremely solid … we’ve heard the foundations pretty much go to China.”

Architects’ plans have been drawn for a spectacular renovation. 

O’Neill describes Yeronga as “a bit of a secret”. “It’s a nice community but it’s not too small, you’ve still got your privacy. We’re really close to the city but it’s really leafy and green.”

The property comes with a fully equipped 12-metre pontoon (currently not in use). Yeronga is a 10-minute drive from the CBD.

108 Rome Street, Yeronga

Auction Tuesday May 30, 6pm, at Ray White New Farm, 612 Brunswick Street

4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car

Open Saturday April 29, 1pm – 2pm

Agent: Christine Rudolph, Ray White New Farm 0400 943 984