Sydney Opera House | Tours & Free Light Show at Australia’s Top Landmark

Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Situated on Sydney Harbour, it serves as an important landmark and cultural hub. The iconic building and its white shell-like roof structures occupy an outcrop of land known as Bennelong Point, which juts out into the harbor. It is located just a short walk away from other famous landmarks, like Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour Bridge. No trip to Sydney would be complete without a visit to Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Opera House | An Overview

A multi-venue performing arts center, Sydney Opera House is considered to be among the greatest architectural works of the 20th century. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 and was noted for being “one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity.” The structure, which brings together both ancient and modernist influences, was well ahead of its time – even ahead of the construction technology that was available at the time. It is also connected to the past by a location considered sacred for thousands of years by the local Gadigal people.

History of Sydney Opera House

The idea to build an opera house in Sydney first started to gain traction in the mid-1950s. In February of 1956, the New South Wales premier decided to hold an international competition for the design of a new opera house at Bennelong Point. A Danish architect named Jørn Utzon, who was living north of Copenhagen at the time, sent off his designs just before the competition closed in December of that year. Though he was an unknown name, Utzon’s unique design was announced as the winner in January of 1957.

• Construction began on March 2nd, 1959, and almost immediately ran into problems. Utzon himself resigned from the project in 1966. Nevertheless, work continued, and the project was finally completed in 1973, a decade past the original completion date and 1,357% over budget.

• Today, Sydney Opera House is the top tourist destination in the entire country and one of the busiest performing arts venues in the world. It sees more than 8 million visitors a year, 1.5 million of whom attend a show. About 350,000 visitors opt to take a guided tour of the incredible building as well.

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Badu Gili – Free Light Show at Sydney Opera House

Badu Gili is a free experience that takes place every evening at Sydney Opera House. During the performances, the eastern sail is illuminated with spectacular light projections depicting First Nation stories. “Badu Gili” means “water light” in the language of the traditional inhabitants of Bennelong Point. There are two different projections, each around seven minutes in length. The first one is shown at sunset and the second one at 7 p.m. The two projections are repeated at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. The best spot for viewing the performances is at the top of the Monumental Steps.

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Sydney Opera House Tours

While you are welcome to walk around Sydney Opera House, signing up for a guided tour is a great way to really take it all in. A knowledgeable tour guide will lead you under the sails and through the fascinating venues, regaling your group with stories about the history and magic of the place. Tours operate every day of the year except for Christmas Day and Good Friday. They depart regularly throughout the day, starting at 9 a.m., with the last tour leaving at 5 p.m.

• Tickets for a Sydney Opera House tour cost $42 for adults and $22 for children. Tours last about an hour, and it is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for the duration. It is also recommended that you book your tickets ahead of time, as spots do tend to sell out early.

• If you want to get a peek at what goes on behind the curtain at Sydney Opera House, then sign up for a Backstage Tour. Explore rehearsal spaces and get the inside scoop on operations from expert guides. Tours depart every day at 7 a.m. and last for about two and a half hours. Tickets cost $175 per person, and children must be 10 years of age or older to take the Backstage Tour. You must book your spot on a tour in advance. Guests are also advised to wear enclosed, rubber-soled shoes for comfort and safety.

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Seeing a Show at Sydney Opera House

The best and most memorable way to experience Sydney Opera House is, of course, to catch a show. There are more than 2,000 shows a year to choose from, so chances are that you can find a production that appeals to you during your visit. Plus, the world-class live music venues offer unparalleled acoustics and ambiance. While Sydney Opera House regularly hosts operas, you can also see concerts, symphony orchestras, Broadway shows, ballets, stand-up comedy shows, and much more. A number of theatrical companies also hold regular performances at Sydney Opera House, including Sydney Theatre Company, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Opera Australia, and The Australian Ballet. It is advisable to book your tickets for a show you are interested in well in advance.

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Dining and Drinks at Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House offers some of the best dining experiences in the city, complete with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a meal or a drink before catching a show or after taking a tour at any of the following spots.

• Bennelong – One of the most highly regarded fine-dining restaurants in Australia, Bennelong features a menu inspired by authentic Australian ingredients and flavors.
• Opera Bar – Located along the edge of the water, Opera Bar provides excellent views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and serves up local flavors.
• Opera Kitchen – Situated right under the famous sails, Opera Kitchen offers burgers, sandwiches, and Asian-inspired dishes like poke bowls.
• Portside – A casual and family-friendly spot, Portside is perfect for a light meal and a glass of wine. Diners are also treated to views over Circular Quay.
• Theatre Bars – Sydney Opera House has three bars where you can also have a drink or light snack before a show. They are found in the Western Foyers, Joan Sutherland Theatre, and Concert Hall.
• The Lounge – Another fantastic spot where you can relax before a show, The Lounge offers lobby-style seating and a cafe-style menu of quick and tasty nibbles.

There are three different tours available at Sydney Opera House that incorporate the venue’s fantastic restaurants. Taste of the Opera House is a four-hour experience where visitors wine and dine their way through Bennelong, Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen, and Portside. Tour and Tasting Plate incorporates a regular tour with a tasting plate at Opera Kitchen, while Tour and Dine incorporates a regular tour with a meal at Opera Bar.

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How to Get to Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House is just a quick, six-minute walk from Circular Quay, a Sydney transport hub accessible via ferries, buses, and trains from all over the city. The world-famous sails will be instantly visible from wherever you arrive, making it easy to know where to go.

If you are driving to Sydney Opera House, then you can park in the multi-level Sydney Opera House Car Park, which is accessible from the northern end of 2 Macquarie Street. The car park is owned and operated by Wilson Parking and has space for 1,200 vehicles. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can take advantage of prepaid discounted parking by booking a spot online ahead of time, but there are convenient pay machines on-site as well.

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