Nicole Bricknell, ex wife of former Billabong boss Matthew Perrin auctioning Gold Coast mansion

It’s a luxurious waterfront showpiece, a unique opportunity in a sought-after location with a highly-motivated vendor and all the other adjectives real estate agents use to describe a truly beautiful Gold Coast mansion. But this one’s different for two reasons.

Nicole Bricknell is auctioning her home at 16 Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

IT’S the ultimate riverfront showpiece, a luxurious unique opportunity in a sought-after location with a highly-motivated vendor and all the other adjectives real estate agents use to describe a slick Gold Coast mansion.

But this one’s different for two reasons.

It’s different because the highly-motivated vendor is herself a high-end property agent; and because selling this house will, she hopes, begin a new chapter of her life: one where her name is no longer followed by “ex-wife of disgraced former Billabong boss Matthew Perrin”.

As much as she’s loved this house — with its five bedrooms, wide-water views and visiting pods of dolphins — Nicole Bricknell wants it out of her life.

Nicole Bricknell is oputting her home at 16 Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise to auction Picture: Supplied

Since listing 16 Southern Cross Dr in October, Ms Bricknell said she has decided it has to go, and has put it to auction with a fresh determination to get it off her books.

Ms Bricknell’s colleague Nick Cole describes it as an exceptional home in a trophy location.

But for her, it has also signified a fresh start, a new definition of life for herself and her children — albeit right next door to the house which brought her so much turmoil.

The mother-of-three commissioned the home on a block next to the even-bigger Cronin Island mansion she shared with her ex and their three children before their $150 million life imploded almost 10 years ago.

Inside Bricknell’s stunning Surfers mansion

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Perrin was mysteriously released from jail in late June, a year before his original parole date, after serving two and a half years of an initial eight-year term for fraud and forgery.

Ms Bricknell did not want to talk about Perrin this week, but earlier told reporters his release had made her children happy, which had made her happy.

The forgeries, which included his ex-wife’s signature, allowed Perrin to pocket a $13.5 million loan secured against the family’s palatial original home, which was in her name.

In the shadow of that four-level home, with its rooftop bar, panic room and garage stocked with flashy cars and boats, Ms Bricknell built another one.

“It hasn’t bothered or worried me one bit, living next door to the old house,” she said.

“I’ve become friends with the neighbours (who live there) and it doesn’t effect me at all.

“I actually love where I am now, funny as it is even though it’s smaller, I love it more because it’s more me.

“It’s about me designing it with the kids in mind — it was the fresh start.”

Nicole Bricknell is selling her home at 16 Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

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The original Perrin house, sold by Ms Bricknell for $6.1 million in 2012, was on the market for $13.8 million last year but has since been taken off market without changing hands.

Single-street Cronin Island keeps a lower profile than glitzier hot spots like Admiralty Dr and the Sovereign Islands — and the ultra-rich owners of its 34 homes like it that way.

The island’s centrepiece is a four-acre park, which very few people outside the enclave know about or use.

Number 16 sits on a 979 sqm block and features a glass courtyard connects the kitchen, dining and living areas with the billiard room, bar, cinema room and covered outdoor high ceiling alfresco dining, living and entertaining terrace.

Nicole Bricknell is auctioning her home at 16 Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise. Picture: Supplied

The 10m fully tiled swimming pool is flanked by a timber deck overlooking Main River.

“We love living there but my family’s growing up fast and moving in all different directions,’ Ms Bricknell said.

“I have a greater motivation to sell, so we’re going to take the property to auction.

“I’m looking for a downsize, maybe an apartment — I just want to have an easier lifestyle and simplify my life.

“It will be emotional and sad to leave the island — there’s lovely people living on the island, I’ve made lots of friends but it will also be exciting to start the next chapter of our new adventure.”

The home will go to auction on-site at 5.30pm on September 5 unless sold before.