Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is more than an iconic Sydney landmark. When it became a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in 2007, it was hailed as “one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of humankind”.

The Sydney Opera House is about much more than opera with live performances from all areas of creative performance.  The theatres present opera, drama, comedy, rock & pop concerts, ballet, contemporary dance and shows for children. With over 1600 performances each year, there’s something for everyone. It is also a great place to begin exploring the harbour city with the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens, The Rocks a stroll away at the other side of Circular Quay and, of course, the sparkling harbour out front with the Harbour Bridge to the left. It is easy to explore yourself and there are tour options (in a number of languages).

With the behind the scenes Sydney Opera House Tour you discover the stories behind Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s remarkable achievement – like what inspired him to base his revolutionary design on ships’ sails and how he solved an engineering challenge considered one of the most difficult attempted anywhere in the world. These one-hour guided tours run daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm and give a great insight into the intricate workings of a living, breathing Opera House. You explore the theatres and foyers with an experienced guide who leads you through every aspect of the building’s 14-year creation and 58-year history. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs and marvel at the vaulted ceilings of one of the biggest pillar-free chambers in the world. You explore rare vantage points that are off limits to the general public.

The Backstage Tour uncovers the mysteries of the backstage world with lots of insider secrets and includes a full-cooked breakfast in the Green Room – the exclusive domain of the staff and performers who call this remarkable building home. For lovers of dance, opera, theatre and performing arts of all kinds, a Backstage Tour at the Sydney Opera House is an experience you won’t forget. The two-hour tour runs daily at 7am only, in order to provide the best behind-the-scenes access for guests. Group sizes are intimate, with a maximum of 12 guests, so booking ahead is essential. There’s also the Tour and Tasting Plate.

There are a number of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets – for fine dining there’s Bennelong Restaurant with dining alternatives that include The Restaurant (a la carte), the more casual Cured & Cultured and Pre & Post Theatre… there’s also The Opera Bar for a leisurely bite to eat, the Opera Kitchen for snacks like burgers and sushi, Bistro Mozart for high-quality meals at bistro prices and the pop-up restaurant, The House Eatery by George, under the Colonnade on the Western Boardwalk.

For more information on this fabulous building including what’s on, visit The Sydney Opera House official website.