Sydney Opera House
About the Sydney Opera House
Featuring an unparalleled design and marvelous architecture, Sydney Opera is managed by a trust maintained by the government of New South Wales. Its popularity is evident, with 8 million people visiting every year. It was also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 to preserve its cultural identity. Today, it’s become a famous tourist spot, especially for art lovers. Here’s an insight into this gorgeous attraction.
The Sydney Opera House is regarded as an architectural marvel of the 20th century and has garnered the reputation of one of the world’s most distinctive buildings. It’s a performing center with multiple halls where you can enjoy a night of art and culture. The beauty of this opera house lies in its architectural intricacies, and it is considered one of the most famous spots in Australia.
History of the Sydney Opera House
The building, designed by Danish architect John Ultron, was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973. Eugene Gossins, who shed light on the city’s scarcity of a proper theatrical structure, drove the decision to develop the Sydney Opera House. Later, in 1955, a design competition was organized to find the best fit for this project.
The project received entries from various countries, and by the end, Ultron landed the design project for this arts facility, for which he was honored with the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2003.
Tips for your visit to Sydney Opera House
The opera house is a beautiful place to visit. If you are a traveler visiting Sydney Opera House, please consider the following points before going out for a smooth and travel-friendly experience.
- Wear extremely comfortable shoes, as the hall is massive and has a fair share of staircases. By doing so, you can cover a large area and enjoy a walking tour of the Sydney Opera House, visiting all the renowned halls and basking in their glory.
- Avoid carrying oversized luggage, as the opera house welcomes a lot of tourists, and it can hamper their and your experience.
- If you are traveling with a baby, please note that baby strollers are not allowed in the venue. So, please avoid carrying them. To avoid inconvenience, you can use another carrier that can be attached to the parent’s body.
- If you cannot leave your luggage or prams behind, you can use the service of locker rooms present at the venue. It might take some extra time, but it ensures the safety of your items and a smooth experience.
- If you happen to be visiting on National holidays such as New Year’s Day, Christmas, or Good Friday, kindly note that the venue doesn’t open before 11 AM.
Sydney Opera House Tickets
Sydney Opera House tickets differ according to the visitor’s requirements. To book the tickets, it is advisable to do it online and officially get the tickets for the following tours:
Architectural tour: This weekly tour starts at 8:15 am on Saturdays and provides an in-depth dive into the mind of John Ultron, along with the contractors who created this masterpiece. You will be accompanied by a tour guide to understand the intricacies of the designs present in front of you. For Children below the age of 5, all tours are free; for an adult, the tour costs $45, but there is an amazing deal for families where four members can experience the tour altogether for $23 only. Sydney Opera House guided tour for Australian Senior citizens, and Students is available at a concessional price of $35.
Backstage tour: This tour starts at 7:00 a.m. and takes you deep into the process of theatre from the very beginning. It covers the pre-rituals before the first act and prop management while witnessing various technical aspects that make these performances special. The tour costs $190 and doesn’t allow kids under the age of 10.
Mobility access tour: This tour provides an authentic experience for visitors with minimum to limited mobility. It is offered every day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and is priced at $45 for an adult, $25 for a child, and $115 for a family.
Note: Food and dining options are also available between tours daily and can be booked on the website.
The tour is provided in various languages, such as English, French, Japanese, Spanish, and others.
How to arrive to Sydney Opera House
There are ample options for an easy commute to the opera house. You can travel via public transport or services provided by the opera house, like buggy and courtesy buses, which start operating 75 minutes before the shows and 10 minutes after the shows.
You can reach the Sydney Opera House by
- Train: You can take Train lines T3, T4, and T8 to Circular Quay, from where the opera House is a 6-minute walk away.
- Bus: The 333, 392, L94, B1, and M52 buses can be taken to reach Circular Quay. The Opera House also provides courtesy buses for smooth transport.
- Parking: For people traveling in their own vehicles, a parking service is available underneath the venue, which can be accessed through the northern end of 2 Macquarie Street in Sydney.
These make visiting the Sydney Opera House efficient and easy.
