INSIDE THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE: WHY THIS ICONIC LANDMARK IS A MUST-SEE IN SYDNEY!

This post was originally posted on April 27th, 2021, before I finally did the Opera House tour. Now, I am re-posting it to share my experience inside.

Back in November 2006, before I even boarded the plane for that long flight to Australia, there was one building on my mind that I just couldn’t wait to see — the Sydney Opera House. Even with the promise of snorkelling with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef, trekking through the jungles of the Daintree Rainforest, or sleeping on a tropical island off the coast of Brisbane, the Opera House was at the very top of my bucket list.

Six weeks later, on Boxing Day, I arrived in what I consider Australia’s best city and finally got to explore this incredible piece of architecture. It’s not just every traveller’s dream to peek inside Sydney’s sail-shaped gem on the harbour; it’s probably on everyone’s bucket list worldwide! If you’re planning a trip to Australia and the Sydney Opera House isn’t on your list, why are you even going?

I lived in Sydney for around four years, and whenever I’d catch the train home from work over the Harbour Bridge, I’d often sit on the side that faced the Opera House just to catch a glimpse of it at the end of the day. On sunny days, I loved watching the roof tiles sparkle, making it look even more spectacular—and trust me, there are plenty of those days. Situated on Circular Quay, Sydney’s famous harbour, it looks stunning from every angle. You can view it from so many different spots, with the Botanical Gardens on one side and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on the other. You’ll get a great photo no matter where you are!

So, don’t just admire it from the outside—follow me inside the Sydney Opera House, and I’ll show you why it’s worth doing the tour.

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A Brief History

Before we venture inside, let’s look at how the Sydney Opera House came to fruition. The idea was proposed in the late 1940s by Eugene Goossens, the Director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music. However, it wasn’t until 1956, when a design competition was launched, that Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s design won, beating 233 entries from 32 countries. The construction process, however, faced numerous challenges, which I’ll dive into as I walk you through the tour

Eventually, it was completed by a new team of architects and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, ultimately taking 14 years to complete and costing $102 million. The Sydney Opera House was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, recognizing its architectural significance and innovative design.

Back to December 2006

The first time I laid eyes on the Sydney Opera House was Boxing Day 2006. That day, my friend and I planned to get up early and watch the annual Sydney to Hobart boat race, but I slept in and missed the whole thing. Oops! I’ll get to watch it someday.

We took a 20-minute bus ride from our hostel in Glebe to the harbour on a beautifully clear yet hot day, and alighted at Circular Quay. As we got off the bus, I caught my first glimpse of one of those famous sails, and I must confess—I may have let out a little squeal of delight when I first saw it.

We headed straight over, and I finally saw the Sydney Opera House up close. Standing in front of it, I couldn’t believe I was finally here. I did walk around the foyer area, but as I was on a tight backpacker budget and still relatively young, I didn’t care too much about taking the guided tour. Since then, I’ve been to the Opera House heaps of times and wandered around the outside, yet still hadn’t ventured inside.

Fast forward to January 2023

After sixteen years of gazing at the exterior, we finally organized a trip to Sydney with my family. Top of our list was doing the Opera House tour—and it didn’t disappoint!

You can’t just wander in and explore on your own; you’ll need to book a tour. We booked the last tour of the day, and even though it was only 10:00 AM when we inquired, the next available slot was at 4:30 p.m. For the last tour, it was the last available slot! So be forewarned—book in advance if you’re short on time.

Start of the Tour

We got there early, excitedly anticipating our tour. It was also a super hot day, so we decided to head to the iconic Opera Bar next to the Opera House, which has the most amazing view and location.

Our 4:30 PM tour started right on time, and our friendly guide welcomed us to the Opera House, handing out headsets to everyone. This was great because we could hear our Australian guide perfectly throughout the entire tour. Our group was pretty large—around 40-50 people—from all walks of life and all over the world.

We were first led up a set of concrete stairs, with huge columns and perfectly positioned, symmetrical concrete lines above us. In fact, that’s the story inside the Opera House—clean lines, concrete blocks, and glass everywhere.

As we made our way around the building, we were told the sad story of how terribly the architect Jørn Utzon was treated. When ground was finally broken in March 1959, the project was expected to take four years with a budget of $7 million. However, the project faced numerous challenges and delays, from financial to technical. By 1965, a new government came to power and became highly critical of the project’s management and spiralling costs, resulting in them giving Utzon a very strict budget and schedule to work with. When the government started withholding payments so that he couldn’t even pay his staff, Utzon had enough and resigned, returning to Denmark. Sadly, he never returned to Australia to see his finished masterpiece, which is such a shame.

The concert halls

The Opera House hosts more than 1,500 performances annually, attended by over 1.2 million people. So, it was only natural that we’d get to see some of the stages or concert halls during our tour. We had the chance to explore two of them.

The first was Stage 38, which had black seats and red walls. While it was functional, it wasn’t particularly memorable—Stage 38 could literally be anywhere in the world!

But we were in the Opera House, so we were bound to see something truly epic. The second stage we visited was a different story. It was incredibly impressive, with a grand entrance area, wooden panelling up the walls, and massive concrete beams coming together to create a striking modern design.

The Epic Bar Views

Next, we were taken to a bar area with those famous glass panels that are so visible from the sails. From here, you can only imagine the amazing views from here, right? Surrounded by iconic sail-shaped glass panels, the bar offers spectacular glimpses of Sydney Harbour. It was easy to daydream about sipping cocktails and watching the world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display from this spot.

For the tour’s grand finale, we briefly stepped outside and crossed from one sail to another. Our guide explained the engineering marvels behind the unique shell-like design of the roofs. The complexities were unprecedented, requiring innovative engineering solutions. I loved being so close to these tiles that I could almost touch them while learning their story.

The entrance to the last sail we toured featured cathedral-like ceilings, soaring wooden panels, and bold concrete beams. The modern design, complete with a stage (unfortunately inaccessible due to a concert), made for a truly unforgettable Sydney experience!

I’m so happy to say that I have finally ticked this off my bucket list! The interior looked different from what I had imagined; I expected a softer colour palette. While some areas felt a bit stark, the bar area and certain stages, with their soaring ceilings, provided us with a memorable experience.

Sydney Opera House: Know Before You Go

How to Book Tickets for the Opera House Tour

1. In Person: If you’re already in Sydney, you can head to the ticket office at the Opera House. This is a great option for last-minute bookings or if you have any questions.

2. Online: Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons. This way, you can secure your preferred tour time and avoid missing out. Book your tour here.

Can You Book a Sydney Opera House Tour in Different Languages?

Yes! The Sydney Opera House tours are available in several languages besides English, including French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese (30-minute tour), and Korean (30-minute tour). You can select your preferred language when booking online or at the ticket office.

How Long is the Sydney Opera House Tour?

The standard tour typically lasts about an hour. However, the Japanese and Korean tours are shorter, around 30 minutes each.

How Much Does the Sydney Opera House Tour Cost?

Prices (as of the latest update):

– Adult: $45

– Child (5-15 years): $25

– Concession: $35

– Family (2 adults + 2 children): $115

– Under 5 years old: Free

Note: Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, check the official Sydney Opera House website or inquire at the ticket office.

How Far in Advance Can You Book Your Sydney Opera House Tour?

You can book tours online up to six months in advance. For special tours like the Backstage Tour, booking closes at 5 pm the day before.

Is There Any More Information People Should Know About the Sydney Opera House Tour?

Accessibility: The Sydney Opera House offers a Mobility Access Tour for visitors with limited mobility, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the experience.

Photography: You’re free to take photos throughout the tour, except in restricted areas where your guide indicates otherwise.

Thanks for reading my updated post about what it’s like inside the Sydney Opera House—it really was a dream come true for me! After years of admiring it from the outside, it felt surreal to finally explore its interior and learn about its fascinating history. Every moment was magical, from the intricate design details to the epic views from the sails.

I loved exploring the contrast between the stark, modern lines and the warm, inviting spaces like the bar area. Hearing about the challenges faced during its construction, especially the struggles of architect Jørn Utzon, gave me a deeper appreciation for this architectural masterpiece.

If you’re heading to Sydney, I can’t recommend the Opera House tour enough. It’s a unique experience that truly captures the spirit of this iconic city. Just be sure to book in advance—those spots fill up fast!

Are you planning a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House in the future? Have you been to Sydney before? What’s your favourite thing to do there? Let me know in the comments section below!

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