Sydney Opera House
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To go to Sydney and not go to the opera house would be a disservice to yourself. The architecture is jaw-dropping, and they offer a wide variety of performances to suit any taste. We also went on a guided tour of the opera house, which I would recommend because we got to learn some history and see all of the theaters.
A trip to Sydney is not complete until you visit the Sydney Opera House. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is so iconic! The moment I booked my trip, I immediately made plans to visit. I wasn't able to see a performance, but I did take the Backstage tour. They offer a variety of tours including an Architecture tour and a Taste of the House tour. They also offer a Mobility Access tour for visitors with limited mobility. Tours are offered in multiple languages. The Backstage tour is one of the more expensive tours, but it is absolutely worth it! If you enjoy the performing arts, treat yourself and get a ticket. I booked a ticket directly through the Opera House website. The tour groups are small (I think there were about 15 people in the group). The tour is 2.5 hours long. It's offered daily and has an early start time of 7 am. The tour starts at the stage door entrance on the Covered Concourse. Do not go to the guided tours area near Opera Bar (unless you have a ticket for the General tour). Connor was our tour guide and he was awesome! He was really cool and knowledgeable and I enjoyed his hybrid American/Aussie accent. We saw everything from stage props, dressing rooms, multiple auditoriums, rehearsal spaces, the orchestra pit, service elevators, sound equipment, etc. Photographs are allowed in some areas depending on what shows are on. At the end of the tour, we enjoyed a group breakfast in the Green Room. We were able to order breakfast before the tour started. I had an almond croissant which was delicious! For my entrée I ordered the Healthy Breakfast which consisted of avocado, boiled egg, tomatoes, spinach, and sourdough toast. The meal was good, but could have used some seasoning. I also had a cup of coffee. I love that breakfast was included with the tour. Though I didn't get to see a performance at the Sydney Opera House, I am so glad that I booked this tour. This was by far, one of my favorite activities that I did on my trip of a lifetime! Review #1000!
... we bought tickets to see Gatsby.... We weren't expecting that type of show to be at the opera house.... My friend booked the tickets without any research... she thought she was booking The Great Gatsby... .... Anyway, we decided to sit back and enjoy the show and where we were in the world.. After Gatsby we enjoyed music and the atmosphere in an outdoor concert....what a beautiful place...
The Sydney Opera House somehow manages to live up to the hype and exceeded it. You can see it in photos a thousand times, but standing there in person with the harbor breeze and the city buzzing around you is a completely different experience. Even if you don't go inside for a performance, the walk around the building is worth the visit alone. Every angle feels iconic, and the views of the Harbour Bridge make it one of the best photo spots in Sydney. I went during the late afternoon and stayed through sunset. Whether you're into architecture, the arts, or just checking off bucket-list landmarks, the Sydney Opera House is a must.
what a beautiful experience! obviously a great spot for pics. I highly suggest grabbing tickets to whatever u can to experience it. Definitely eat at the opera house bar 1st.
Took a guided tour through the Opera House which was such a fun experience. We had a great guide who gave us tons of details. We got to stop in a few of the rooms too, however due to ongoing events, we weren't allowed to photograph some of those areas since live sets were up. A beautiful spot and definitely a must visit.
Had the most wonderful experience with the staff handling my tickets during Vivid Sydney. There is no doubt that a visit to Sydney would be incomplete without seeing the Opera House. We were lucky that Vivid Sydney was taking place during our visit to Sydney. However, as our outbound flight from JFK was canceled due to inclement weather, our new flight would arrive a day later, resulting in missing the event that we purchased tickets for. Nonetheless, the staff at the Opera House jumped in and got us into another show during our visit since the tickets were non-refundable. The gesture was much appreciated and helped to salvage our visit to Sydney.
Why fly all the way to Sydney just to see the Opera House?: Its better to see SOH and take in a show! We saw Rent, a 90's Broadway musical. Rent is multi-Tony award winning, and follows a group of poor, young artists living in NY's East Village. The artists were navigating love, poverty, creativity, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The actors were mainly local, and inc an Aboriginal actor & Filipina actress. The performance was electrifying! It touched upon topics I could relate too bc I grew up in the period covered. The actors were so talented. As with all musicals, they not only have to be able to act, they have to be able to sing & dance too. The choreography and music tied the story all together for a standing ovation at the end. I highly recommend taking in a show at world famous SOH vs just sight seeing. I have seen performances in London, Broadway, SF & LA, and SOH is world class. In addition, the staff is super nice, and there are many places to eat & drink b4 and after. Lastly, there is lots to see near SOH at night.
Sydney Opera House is the most iconic landmark that most foreigners identify Australia with. It's beautiful in photos, but seeing up close is even more magnificent. I've been inside multiple times. I've been on a venue tour to learn about the architect and the history of the opera house. I've watched a three-hour opera, a R&B performance, and most recently an alt rock concert. It's incredible each time, regardless of music genre or show. I've also had drinks at the Bennelong restaurant too, and the views are so spectacular from the inside looking out. Sometimes they have events outside the opera house on the steps. During Vivid Sydney (around mid May to early June in the southern winter), they have a diverse line up of artists and shows. In 2024 when I went, Inside Out 2 had a premiere event outside, and I was a few feet away from Amy Pohler. There's also have a special art projection show on the sails too! Highly recommended to catch a show here if you get a chance because it's a gorgeous venue with a great history.
Iconic setting for every photo of Sydney. Besides a zillion pics and walking and ferrying around the outside, we did a backstage tour and attended performances in two different theaters. The backstage tour was fantastic. Marcus was our guide and he rocked. We stood on stage, hung in orchestra pits, walked past catwalks, primped in dressing rooms, pretended we were stage managers, and had breakfast in the staff cafeteria. We even saw them setting up for the show we would see later that night. Marcus knew a ton about the roles required in putting on a performance. He had tons of fun stories. The group size was maxed at 12 and it starts early to get in and out before the work behind the scenes starts. Such a great tour. We saw Mountains, a movie that hosted the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Rent. Two different theaters. It was cool that we stood among the props and sets of Rent the day before we saw the show. The shows were quite different in style and audience members but equally well done and fun to see. We got there early and enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio before the show. Such great views of the city and fun to see the building/sculpture from the inside out.
Sydney Opera House is an amazing experience. Take a tour and experience history, drama and comedy all in one. The tour guide will provide you with stories and facts that you can't get anywhere, hear or know from anywhere or anyone else. The views from inside in various parts of the buildings are spectacular and learning about the architecture is spectacular. If you're lucky, you'll get to see the set up or practicing of a performance or play happening that night.
The Sydney Opera House is extraordinary!!! So beautiful and so iconic!!! Pictures do not do this landmark justice. To be inside and take a tour to hear how it all began is 100% worth your while!! Seeing it day from night is completely different but no less beautiful. And the harbor that surrounds it is magnificent as well!! Several theatres inside can showcase different events at one time. Just to visit it, is a special and amazing experience for sure!!! So highly recommend!!!
This is an amazing architecture. Would be wonderful to come and hear a concert. Can you imagine the forethought of Premier Cahill? The competition to put in your design? The Danish designer who got fired. Cost over run? The engineer! Amazing. Now it is Unesco Heritage site. We took the elevator up to the next level. Great air conditioning inside. Even the restroom has style, wavy sink. 5 stars for having at least 16 stalls for women. Went somewhere popular at the Fish Market and they only have a total of 6 for millions that go there.
One of the first things I did when I planned my trip to Sydney was see what was being performed at the Opera House. I was a little disappointed that while 3 operas were running during my week there, none of them were in the main concert hall. But! there was a classical performance happening. Tickets were easily acquired online and I chose the very last row of the theater. I loved that the performance recognized that the opera house was built on land sacred to the Gadigal people and that a recognition of our ancestors was the first thing to happen before the concert began. The space is beautiful and the stairs up to the top are widely spaced for easy walking up. The views of course are amazing. And then there is the sound. I took a short video of the orchestra tuning up and even with just my phone microphone several musician friends commented on the tone. The whole theater was an amazing space to hear music. I highly recommend a classical or acoustic concert here. read more
The Sydney Opera House is a very distinctive looking building resembling sails. We took several ferry rides from Circular Quay, so we have seen it from the water, from the land, from far away, from up close, from below the steps, to up at the top of the steps, from outside, and now also from within! Since we were in Sydney, Australia, we figured we should try to see an Opera at the world famous Sydney Opera House! Aida was playing and when we checked it out online, they were offering a group price that we would have been eligible for with our little group of 5. However, by the time we were ready to buy, they had insufficient seats for that evening, so we ended up paying full price on another night the same week. A night at the Opera is not cheap, but it was a neat experience. And it was interesting that the captions for Aida were in both English and Chinese. We also found out that the Opera House consists of several performances spaces, the largest of which was their concert hall. We however, were in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, home of Opera Australia, which was a nice cozy yet modern space. So we could see the faces of the performance artists quite well even from our not quite nosebleed seats. The bathrooms in this space however are rather limited (in other words, few in bathroom stalls) and are located at either far end - by the entrance, or further up and then down past the bar area. Beneath the Opera House are a few food options with rather reasonable pricing. read more
From a distance when I first saw the Opera House I was thinking it might be a little underwhelming. As soon as I got close to it I was star-struck. When I finally got inside my mind was blown. I was in town for a week and had the opportunity to go see "The Merchant of Venice" in one of the small theaters. There are a few venues beside the largest. The stage and theater was very intimate, not a bad seat in the place although there are only 550 seats. The lighting, acoustics and flow of the small theaters is amazing. As for the building itself, the details are subtle and classy, from the open elevator shafts to the bathroom sink it seems no detail was left without care and consideration. I can't wait to go back to see something else. read more
It's iconic and a must visit. The 1 hour walking tour (around $40) is worth taking. The architecture is simply a stunning. Arguably the most beautiful modern building in the world. If you want to try a flat white get one here. It's fabulous. Check it out. read more
2 years ago
I am going to go against the crowds on this one and say I really feel that it should be a 3.5 and here's why. I feel like I need to be honest or I too will be guilty of not calling attention to The Emperor's New Clothes. Is this an iconic building? Yes! Is it architecturally brilliant? Absolutely! Does it have a fascinating history? Of course! Should they be proud of it? Without a doubt! However, and here it comes - it is highly overpriced as far as the tour goes and even more so for the food and they are making money hand over fist with the crazy amount of tourists that are flocking in there. They don't need to be so greedy. We paid $42 each for one of the tours and even though our guide Bruce was terrific, (a lovely fellow with charming personality), other than dropping some names of famous folks who had performed there and giving us a brief history, we really didn't 'get' anything else. Point being we could have googled the info he gave us and the tour was only through the common areas and places the public go, nothing behind the scenes etc. so we were really disappointed and felt cheated by spending this much money on it. A wander around on your own, google the history and save yourself the money. read more
7 years ago
What a fantastic sight to behold. Framing Sydney's waterfront with it's glorious sails, the Sydney Opera House is the most prominent structure profile on the skyline. If you don't have tickets for an auditorium performance, don't fret. Live music echoes outside the opera house walls, at the Opera Bar as well. If you want something more casual, the Opera Kitchen provides sandwiches & pizzas. Order a snack and a drink while you enjoy the setting sun. read more
This is such amazing architecture! I walked all the way around the building for the different vantage points and took a tour of the inside where they tell stories about it. The tours are very picky about not taking pictures while anyone is onstage...even workers. It was a bummer that we couldn't take any pictures of the concert hall. It was a lot of walking and steps, so be prepared for that. If you get a tour, save your ticket stub and see if you can get a discount to a show you want to see. I got a $114 ticket for $49! I'd very much recommend going to a show. It was an amazing experience and I got my picture :) read more
7 years ago
'Ello chaps! Few buildings in the world are as famous as the Sydney Opera House. Located on the southern point of the Sydney Harbour, it is impossible to miss. Taking a stroll through the large royal gardens or come from the dock side, there is much to see around the Opera House itself. Many people like to climb the steps and take a quick peek inside. NOTE: You can only really get to the heart of the inside of the opera house by taking a ticketed tour or seeing a ticketed show. Beyond that it's still possible to go inside and get a taste of what the interior architecture is like. There's also a fancy restaurant on site giving you stunning views of the downtown city and of the harbour. The building was formally opened October 20, 1973 by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. There are multiple performance venues inside, which combined provide space for more than 1,500 performances annually, attended by 1.2 million people per year. It is a build that truly impresses in person and in photos. Overall I give Sydney Opera House five stars out of five. read more
5 years ago
Bennelong, first time I'd ever had stuffed zucchini flowers was here, taste alright, wouldn't recommend them, maybe. read more
This is of course the most photographed building the the southern hemisphere! And of course it does not disappoint. 8 years ago, I had the fortune to visiting this place and got to hear a classical music concert inside the opera house. The sound quality was amazing. However, the concert was at night, so I didn't get to see the opera house during the day. On my most recent trip, I was blessed with a perfect sunny day to take as many photos as possible and it really is a very beautiful structure, one of the architectural marvels of our time. Getting to the opera house is very easy. We took the train to Central Quay, and walked 10 min in the loop to get to it. Super easy. The best photo op is actually across the water. Must visit! read more
3 years ago
This looks just like my Lego set. Yes, I have a Sydney Opera House Lego Set on my living room table. Came here because it IS the place to get that tourist snapshot in Sydney and found it to be rather steep walking up and down the stairs. Also, the pictures make this place look bright white, when it's actually more dingy, and super windy. The tour was pretty large and they tell you about how this opera house was built and the history. Honestly, I didn't pay too much attention because I was busy snapping photos as I was walking through the theatre, etc. A must go fro your Australia checklist! After all, you've come this far right?!? read more
Seeing the Sydney Opera House is a given if you are visiting the same name city. It is arguably the most recognizable landmark in Australia. Particularly because the exterior seems to garner a debate of whether they look like sails or shells. This venue is located next to Sydney Harbour so it can be seen as you take one of the ferries at Circular Quay that run through this body of water. I took the ferry to Manly and recommend this to get a perspective of this structure from afar. While I didn't actually enter the Sydney Opera House, I walked around the exterior of this building. The building has a large flight of stairs which I wasn't expecting. Though when you do get to the top, there is a decent view of Sydney CBD. I was fortunate to visit this attraction when the festival, Vivid was going on in the city. One of the main attractions at this festival was the Sydney Opera House lighted up. Pretty cool to see the exterior of this landmark display a cool lights show of changing colors, patterns and shapes. I am sure this landmark is on everyone's list to visit when in Sydney. If it isn't, it should be. The Sydney Opera House is worth seeing not only for its architecture, but also because its surroundings are pretty great as well with places like the Royal Botanic Gardens nearby. I think this spot is great to visit anytime of the year. But if you can make it here during Vivid, your experience here will be a bit more special than usual. read more
As a tourist, this is a must visit on your trip to Sydney, Australia. The iconic and beautiful Sydney Opera House sits on Sydney Harbour overlooking the harbor and downtown Sydney. A visit to the Opera House is free of charge. Take tons of pictures and visit. If you see a show there, it will cost you. Tourist aren't allowed into the halls unless you have a ticket for the show. If you're thirsty and want to people walk (good looking Sydney people) grab a drink and snacks at the Opera House bar. Tons of people, DJs, Happy Hour, etc. read more
12 years ago
There is nothing more beautiful, prestigious, and iconic as the Sydney Opera House. You cannot visit Sydney without seeing this magnificent structure in person. At any angle, the Opera House leaves you in awe; however, I personally think the best view is from Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Up close, you can see the elegant and beautifully crafted ceramic tiles lining the sails. There are a few guided tours you could take, which give you a glimpse of the theaters or backstage areas. Although you can't access the theaters without a show ticket or without being in a tour, you can still explore the lobby area and check out the fancy bathrooms. There are several restaurants and bars along the west side, so it makes a great area to hang out and get a drink. The Opera House is nothing short of an architectural beauty. It's a must-visit while in Sydney! read more
Obviously a must see tourist spot as one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. I had no idea how many individual rooms were inside the Opera House and the architecture is just breath taking. I nerded out a bit and caught Star Wars at the Symphony. Next time I will definitely take more time to take a tour of history of the building. 1 month in Sydney wasn't enough! read more
I haven't seen a show at the Opera House but I did visit the restaurant. The exterior is a beautiful landmark that is a must see when visiting Sydney for the first time. The Bennelong restaurant was absolutely amazing (and probably the best meal I've ever had in my entire life). Everything about the Opera House is amazing...it's iconic! read more
Best Vacation Ever!! I've wanted to visit Sydney Opera House since I was a little girl so last week when I finally seen it in person I was overwhelm with Love and Gratitude! The architecture is fantastic! The time and money put into this building was well worth it.. it sits on 4.4 across and 65m , the concrete frame and ribbed roof is everything.. There were hundreds of tourists and we were all in such a delight. There is lots of restaurants , shops, the Sydney bridge and the best coffee shops in town. I recommend touring and definitely going to see the lights at night. You've got to see it in person for yourself!! read more
Viewable from anywhere of the harbor. There are shops and tons of things to do around here. There will be a lot of walking and a lot of spots for people watching. The ferry is also here, you can use the metro card for the ferry. If you want to go to toranga zoo, take the ferry!!!! It's a nicer view than the bus read more
3 years ago
What is there to say? This is an iconic place and I had to not only take the tourist photos, I wanted to experience it as it was meant to be. So, some friends from Brisbane were also in town for our conference and I told them I didn't care what was playing, I wanted to get tickets. We were lucky to see Megan Hilty's cabaret show (she starred in Wicked on Broadway in NY City for over 4 years). The theater is in wonderful condition and the acoustics were great. There didn't seem to be any bad seats in the house and we were about mid-way up with a straight-on view of the stage. If you're in Sydney, don't just take a photo and walk away... go inside and experience it for yourself. read more
The Sydney Opera House is very beautiful and there are six different venues that can go on at same time. There are lots of steps going into the opera house just so you are aware. It's by the water so it's visually stunning inside and out. My granddaughter is performing there today. The special effects and lighting are amazing. Do yourself a favor and go to a performance at the Opera house. They also offer tours inside for a few. read more
It has always been a dream of mine to enter this iconic venue and I knew I had to make it happen once I established my visit to the city. I contemplated booking a tour, but the music lover in me knew that I was meant to see a show here. So I did. I booked a 30 under 30 ticket for the Indie to Idols show and I was so impressed. The concert hall is so impressive and the venue is truly one of the most beautiful things I have seen. I loved the architecture and the aesthetic, it's easy to get to, and my seats were wonderful. The sound inside the hall was impressive and I managed to strike up a conversation with an employee about how the opera operates. What a dream come true. read more
What an Amazing and Spectacular feeling to be viewing the Sydney Opera House. It is a cold and windy morning but the views will warm your heart! I recommend to take the tour. It is roughly about 1 1/2-2 hours but the details and enthusiasm of the guides are remarkable. There is a lot of time to take pictures and to get a quick drink at the Opera Bar as you marvel the views! Not to be missed! read more
4 years ago
I saved my 1000th Yelp review for something special, and that something special is the Sydney Opera House, THE highlight of our vacation Down Under! If I could give it 1000 stars, I would*. Visiting the Opera House was at the top of our to-do list, and I highly recommend the hour-long guided tour. Our tour guide Steven (I believe that was his name) was very knowledgeable, humorous, and very pleasant. I hope I rock at my job as much as he does his. I learned so much about the Opera House, and it is so much more than a venue where operas play (like I originally thought). With 6 or so theaters inside, shows that are performed range from classical music to drama plays to comedy acts to an outdoor performance done by Florence and the Machines (fastest selling performance of all time, happening this month!). My favorite fun fact about the SOH is that the design for the structure was done by the winner of an international competition with 233 submissions! Danish architect Jorn Utzon won, but only after a late-arriving Finnish judge demanded that all previously discarded entries be re-assessed... at which point Utzon's unique, game-changing design was back in the running! The captivating sails of the Opera House are made from yes, ceramic tiles, basically glorified bathroom tile... 1,056,006 of them! You'll have to travel on down to Sydney to have a look for yourself and learn more history on the building. The ~$35 AUD cost per ticket was well worth the money. If you book online, you can save 10%, and if there's a show that night that tickles your fancy, you'll get discounted admission into it. Various other tour guides around the city will tell you that another way to pop in and experience the Opera House is to use their pretty clean bathrooms (for free). *Read: visiting this iconic structure is a MUST if you are in the Sydney area! read more
One of the highlights of my trip to Australia was finally getting to see the Sydney Opera House, we first walked around outside checking out the amazing architecture of the house, then we walked inside, there are all sorts of angles to the structure and we enjoyed that evening a concert by Glen Hansard. We were up near the back of the house but the sound was amazing, a must visit on any trip to Australia! read more
One of the most distinctive buildings in the world. No matter where you are at in Sydney Harbor your eyes just wonder there. Once you get up close you notice all the details. The sails that make up the roof are actually tiles and every single corner of that place is just magical. We watched Le Boheme during our visit and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience. From dinner at the Opera Bar, a drink before the show, watching the Show, and walking around the opera house at night. If you are ever in Sydney do not pass up on this experience! read more
This is not a review of the tour inside or any performances. The Sydney Opera House is the iconic landmark of Sydney and a perfect backdrop for any pictures of your trip to Sydney. It is right by the water and from certain angles, you can also get the bridge in the picture as well. read more
** My 700th Yelp Review Milestone ** There's no doubt that you have this on your "must-visit" list when you planned your Sydney trip. Heck, you've probably seen all the pictures in textbooks and media that tell you to check out the Opera House. And you know what?... you best damn do it, because this is a sight to behold. The Opera House is the quintessential landmark that defines Sydney. While it looks small across the harbor when juxtaposed in front of the city's skyscrapers, it is a unique building in a very populated area that allows visitors to take in the sites and enjoy the atmosphere. Going in the early afternoon, you'll admire the stunning beauty of the building with the best sunlight hitting its structure. International folks left and right, hundreds of languages being heard and selfie sticks populating the scene, and you're left thinking, "should I go inside or just admire from afar?" I wasn't able to go inside to see a performance, but the people and environment was enough. The cheerful glee of boats passing by and the iconic Harbour Bridge looming at its background, the Opera House is not to be missed. Come back at night to see the grand structure light up and leave you inspired. read more
8 years ago
I am not absolutely sure in date but about 20 years ago Sydney Opera House was one of the Seven Wonder of the World. The size, the shape, the appearance of this Opera House are impressive. We will never forget the Olympic Games in Sydney also because of this building. By the way spots around are one of the best view points of fireworks and salutes on Christmas and New Year time and you have to book seat many months before :) Tickets for watching opera are very expensive and it is especially for tourists. So I have just had a look inside the building and took a small yacht and went around the Opera and all famous point along the river. Absolutely enough to have a look once at this wonder. I liked it. ;) read more
A really cool building and the symbol of Sydney. Don't be surprised to find yourself burning up your batteries taking tons of photos of it because it is just so quintessentially Sydney. There are lots of great vantage points for those vacation photos but for those cool views, walk about 1/2 way across the Sydney Harbor Bridge (free) and/or climb up in the harbor bridge pier (around $14 AUS) for another great vantage point. The opera house is east of the bridge so on a sunny day you might choose the afternoon for best photos. Another great spot is the wharf in front of the park Hyatt in the Rocks section on the city. Here you will get more of a sea level view. One final suggestion is the Ferry to Manly beach- when the ferry returns you can get a combo photo of the bridge and the opera house. Be sure also to walk up to the building itself or consider taking a tour of the inside (around $40 AUS). You will notice when you get close how huge it is as well as the fact the room is actually covered in ceramic tiles of two different colors. Don't miss it! read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
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