The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks and one of the world’s most recognisable performing arts centres. Located on Bennelong Point beside Sydney Harbour, its distinctive roof sails have become an international symbol of Sydney and Australia.
Sydney Opera House. Photo: David Berkowitz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
About the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Construction began in 1959 and the building was officially opened on 20 October 1973.
Its dramatic shell-shaped roofs were unlike anything previously constructed on this scale and required innovative engineering techniques.
Today, the Sydney Opera House is both a major tourist attraction and a working performing arts centre hosting concerts, opera, theatre, ballet, comedy and other live performances throughout the year.
Why Visit the Sydney Opera House?
You do not need to attend a performance to enjoy the Sydney Opera House.
Visitors can explore the waterfront precinct, admire the architecture, take photographs, join a guided tour, dine overlooking Sydney Harbour or simply walk around Bennelong Point.
The views across the harbour towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge are particularly impressive.
Take a Sydney Opera House Tour
One of the best ways to explore the building is by joining a guided Sydney Opera House tour.
The standard tour introduces visitors to the building’s architecture, history and performance spaces. Tours generally last around one hour and provide access to parts of the Opera House that casual visitors may not otherwise see.
Specialist tours may also be available, including architectural tours, backstage experiences and accessible tours.
See a Performance
The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s leading performing arts venues.
Events may include:
Opera
Classical music
Ballet
Theatre
Contemporary music
Dance
Comedy
Family performances
Major performance spaces include the Concert Hall and the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
Explore the Architecture
The Sydney Opera House is considered one of the great architectural achievements of the twentieth century.
The distinctive roof structures resemble enormous white sails rising above Sydney Harbour.
The building was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007 in recognition of its outstanding architectural significance.
Best Places to Photograph the Sydney Opera House
There are many excellent places around Sydney Harbour for photographing the Opera House.
Mrs Macquarie’s Point
Circular Quay
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Overseas Passenger Terminal
Sydney Harbour ferries
Opera House forecourt
Mrs Macquarie’s Point is particularly popular because it provides views of both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Walk Around the Sydney Opera House
Walking around the exterior of the Sydney Opera House is one of the best free things to do in central Sydney.
From Circular Quay, follow the waterfront promenade around Sydney Cove towards Bennelong Point.
You can walk around the Opera House before continuing into the nearby Royal Botanic Garden.
The area is especially attractive around sunset and after dark when the city and harbour are illuminated.
Eating and Drinking
The Opera House precinct has several places to eat and drink, from casual waterfront options to more formal dining.
It is an excellent location for enjoying a meal or drink while overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Getting to the Sydney Opera House
Address:
Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
The easiest public transport option for most visitors is to travel to Circular Quay.
Circular Quay is served by trains, ferries, buses and light rail.
From Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House is approximately a 5 to 10-minute walk along the waterfront.
How Long Should You Allow?
Allow approximately 1 to 2 hours if you want to walk around the exterior, take photographs and explore the surrounding harbourfront.
Allow around 2 to 3 hours if you are also joining a guided tour or stopping for a meal.
If you are attending a performance, allow additional time before and after the show to enjoy the surrounding area.
Nearby Attractions
The Sydney Opera House is within walking distance of many of Sydney’s major attractions.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Circular Quay
The Rocks
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Sydney Harbour
Suggested Sydney Opera House Walk
A good way to explore this part of Sydney is to start at Circular Quay, walk around the Sydney Opera House and then continue through the Royal Botanic Garden towards Mrs Macquarie’s Point.
This route provides excellent harbour views and several opportunities to photograph the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Travel Tip
Visit during the late afternoon so you can see the Sydney Opera House in daylight and then watch the harbour change as the sun sets.
If you would like to see inside the building, consider booking a guided tour or attending a performance.
Image credit: David Berkowitz, via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.
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