Sydney Opera House

 Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia +61 2 9250 7111 Website 9am – 5pm Sydney Campervan Hire

jinxkuiper (contributor)

The beautiful Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architech Jørn Utzon, has become the very symbol of Sydney. Along with the beautiful Harbor Bridge, it’s the first image travellers conjure up when they begin planning a trip to Australia.

Touring the Opera House is very easy, actually. Just go to the base of the structure (there’s an entrance on the side facing the Circular Quay that seems to go UNDER the area…that’s where you buy your tour tickets.) Tours are A$23 for adults and A$16 for students/seniors. Students MUST have an approved student ID card to get the discount. A family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) can tour for A$63. The tour lasts about an hour, and is very entertaining. You’re not allowed to take photographs inside the concert halls, which is a bit disappointing, as they’re so impressive. But still, I enjoyed the tour. And, I’d never realized that the “Opera House” was actually a complex. There is one major hall, and several more minor ones within the complex, for a variety of theatrical and musical uses. There is a concert hall, an opera theater, a drama theater, a playhouse, a studio, and an exhibition hall. The basic one hour tour departs every half hour between 9 am and 5 pm. You also get a free coffee, tea or soft drink upon the tour’s end. Get the coffee. : )

If you really want to get into the Opera House, you can take a “Backstage Tour” for A$140 per person. This lasts approximately 2 hours, and starts at 7 am. The cost includes a light breakfast.

Or, here’s what I’d do….and will do the next time I go to Sydney… I’m going to find a show of some kind to attend. I’d love to enjoy the accoustics of this magnificent place. I can’t imagine how terrific it would be to enjoy the Sydney Symphony, permanent residents of the Opera Hall. : )

Graciecolumba (contributor)

Amazing structures in the highly condensed area of Circular Quay. The view of the entire city skyline with the opera house and the bridge on its edges.I was amazed to learn that it is actually several separate buildings that form the famous roof.

No matter how many times I visit Sydney; the Opera House still has an affect on me. The Opera House appears different depending on the angle and time of day. Some days it glows bright white in the sun, when the sun starts to set it can have a pinkish tint and at night is shines like the moon in a dark sky.

RustyBawdy (contributor)

If you were to set out the pictures around Sydney from different vantage points, and include a single picture of the Sydney Opera house, I guarentee just about every person who looked at the pictures would immediately point out the Opera House first as the most recognizable symbol of this city. Its unique architecture certainly draws stares from all who look at it. An amazing piece of design by Jorn Utzen of Denmark has been the trademark of the city since its construction began in the late 1950’s. Although I did not get a chance to go inside and view an opera, the outside was more than enough to make me want to return and enjoy!

Guided tours are available, as well as plenty of sights to see from the outside grounds.

Costs of tours are:
Adult – $23.00
Australian Seniors/Students/Children 16 and under – $16.00
Family price: $63.25 (2 adults + 2 children under 16)
Private Tour (price for 1-18 people) – $432.00

zeusswiss (contributor)

The Sydney Opera House is situated on Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point and is considered by many to be one of the wonders of the modern world.

It was designed by a Dane, Jørn Utzon and was constructed under some controversy and was first opened in October 1973.

The Opera House is one of Sydney’s most enduring and popular icons with tourists and travellers from all over the world who come to visit, photograph and stand diminitutively under the sail like structures of the cultural centre of Sydney.

I couldn’t quite stand in complete awe of it as the Opera House was very heavily guarded during my short visit which happened to coincide with the 2007 APEC Summit.

Sparkberry (contributor)

Of course you have too see one of Sydney’s most famous sights: the Opera House.
The construction started already in 1959 with the Danish architect Joern Utzon in charge. In 1966 Utzon left the project to an consortium of Australian architects to design the interior. Costs of building exceeded the budget dramatically and lotteries had to be staged to secure the financing. The building was finally completed in 1973 and inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II.
I saw a ballett here. Nice performance as far as I could see… you don’t have a great sight from the cheaper seats.
You can also tour the Opera House in the mornings and afternoons.

Katiecharly (contributor)

The Sydney Opera House is located to the left of Circular Quay(depending on the direction you are facing). It is a magnificent sight to see, from a distance or close up. Unique in architechture, I believe there is nothing in the world quite like it. Use your imagination, to some it looks like huge shells, to others sails on a ship.
There are tours available, on certain days, at certain times, at different prices.
Also, if you were interested in watching a performance there, look online to get an idea of something you’d like to see before you plan your trip.
An interesting fact would include the following:Construction of the opera house was very complicated. Originally, budget for construction was estimated to be $900,00. In the end, well over budget, total construction estimated approximately $102,000,000. Wow! What a difference.

katiecharly (contributor)

While I didn’t go inside the Opera House, walking around it is impressive all the same. It is situated on the harbour, with the Harbour Bridge right across from it. It may be one of the places that all tourists go to see in Sydney, but there is a reason for this – it’s stunning, the architecture is amazing.

Tip: Walk around the Opera House, then have a seat where the Harbour Bridge is right in front of you and the Opera House behind you, and just take it all in.

Trivia: there are 1,056,00 Swedish ceramic tiles on the roof.

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