Guide · Sydney ·
Sydney Opera House tour: which tour and show to book
A Sydney Opera House tour is the easiest way to see inside the building, and a show is the best way to hear it. Guided tours run daily, so you can fit one into almost any visit. If you have time for only one thing, take the tour in the morning and book a performance for another evening.
This guide explains the two ways to see the house, which hall suits which kind of show, and how to plan a day around Bennelong Point.
Sources for this section: Sydney Opera House, visitor information, 2013; UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Sydney Opera House, listed 2007.
Why the building is worth seeing up close
The Opera House opened on 20 October 1973, when Queen Elizabeth II declared it open. Its design came from the Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who won an international competition for it in 1957. Building took many years, and Utzon left the project in 1966, so a team of Australian architects finished the interiors.
In 2007 UNESCO added the building to the World Heritage List. That puts it among the best-known buildings in the world. Its 40th birthday falls this week, on 20 October, so the house is likely to be busy.
Sources for this section: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Sydney Opera House (list entry 166); Wikipedia, Sydney Opera House.
The standard tour
The standard guided tour is the one to book first. A guide walks your group through the public areas and some of the halls, and explains how the building was designed and built. Tours run every day of the year the house is open, and they are held in English, with some other languages offered at set times.
Two practical points help. First, a tour cannot enter a hall that is being used for a rehearsal or a performance. The guide will show you what is open that day. Second, the walk involves stairs and long corridors, so ask the Opera House about access if anyone in your group has trouble with steps. The house publishes details for visitors who need help getting around.
Book ahead in school holidays and on weekends. Mornings can be quieter than the middle of the day, and they leave your afternoon free for the harbour.
Sources for this section: Sydney Opera House, tours and visitor information, 2013.
The backstage option
If the standard tour is a look at the building, a backstage visit is a look at the machine. It goes into working areas that the ordinary visitor does not see. It suits people who like stage craft, or who have already seen the main halls.
The backstage visit has its own times. Ask the box office for the current times and price before you plan around one, because they can change with the performance schedule. Some parts may be closed on days when a company is rehearsing.
A simple rule works for most people. Take the standard tour on a first visit. Add the backstage option on a second visit, or if you know you will enjoy the technical side.
Sources for this section: Sydney Opera House, tours and visitor information, 2013.
Which hall suits which show
The building holds several theatres under the sails, and each is home to different companies. Knowing this helps you pick a show that fits your taste.
| Hall | Best known for | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Concert Hall | Orchestral music and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; home of the Grand Organ | More than 2,600 seats |
| Joan Sutherland Theatre | Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet | About 1,500 seats |
| Drama Theatre | Plays, including Sydney Theatre Company work | About 540 seats |
| Playhouse | Smaller plays and new work | About 400 seats |
| Studio | Intimate music, comedy and experimental shows | About 280 seats |
The largest theatre was called the Opera Theatre until a year ago. On 17 October 2012 it was renamed the Joan Sutherland Theatre, after the Australian soprano. You may still see the old name in older guidebooks.
For a first visit, many people choose a concert in the Concert Hall, because the room itself is part of the experience. If you prefer a story, an opera or ballet in the Joan Sutherland Theatre gives you the classic night out. Smaller rooms suit shorter, cheaper evenings.
Sources for this section: Sydney Opera House, venues and resident companies, 2013; Wikipedia, Sydney Opera House, for venue names and seating.
Planning your day
Bennelong Point sits at the edge of Circular Quay, a short walk from the ferry wharves and the train station. Most visitors arrive on foot. Allow time to walk the forecourt and the steps, and to see the sails from the water side.
A good plan has three parts:
- Morning: take a guided tour, then have coffee at a harbour-side cafe.
- Afternoon: walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens next door for the classic view back at the house.
- Evening: return for a performance, or see the lit sails from a ferry.
Tickets for popular shows sell out, so buy them as soon as you know your dates. Book tours in advance too. Then check the Opera House website for any change on the day, since rehearsals and events can alter which areas are open.
This is general travel information, not a booking service. Prices, times and tour types change, so confirm them with the Opera House before you go.
Sources for this section: Sydney Opera House, visitor information, 2013.
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Sydney Opera House: whc.unesco.org
- Sydney Opera House, visit and tours: sydneyoperahouse.com
- Wikipedia, Sydney Opera House: en.wikipedia.org