The Sydney Opera House is one of the most sought after Australian attractions you’ll find. Whether you’re viewing it from the river or walking its corridors, nothing can prepare you for a visit to one of the world’s most iconic buildings.
Its stages have seen the likes of Pavarotti, John Cleese, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in their primes. Like the variety of performers it boasts, the theater also boasts a multitude of ways for you to tour it.
Below, you can find some of our best choices for you to make use of. Tours designed to get the most out of your visit. With over 1000 rooms and 300 corridors, one can only imagine the stories they’ll hear and legacies they’ll learn about this place.
Since its completion in 1973, the Sydney Opera House has captured the hearts of all who have been fortunate enough to enter its doors. In that time its gathered a history worth exploring.
Highlights:
- Walk the roof of the Opera House
- Explore its 7 main venues
- Get skip-the-line or VIP access to usually off-limit areas
Know before you book:
- Book in advance to avoid missing out
- Morning slots are generally less full than afternoon and evening
- Tours come in English, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean
Welcome to one of the most recognizable and distinctive buildings in the world. An argument could be made that it’s the most iconic building in the world! As its “sails” stand prominent over the harbor, you could see why.
Sydney Opera House boasts over 1600 performances throughout the year, spread across its 6 main venue halls. Walking its interior, you’ll get to see its 1000 rooms, 300 corridors as well as walk its iconic tiled roof.
Did you know there are over 1 million tiles covering the entire structure? When Danish architect Jorn Utzon decided to pursue his dream of designing and building a world-class performing arts building, he didn’t hold back.
As the tiles were laid, and its first concrete “ribs” erected, who’d have thought Bennelong Point and Sydney, on the whole, would be changed forever.
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Sydney Opera House Tour Price 2021
Sydney Opera House tickets price out at $42 USD. However, you can receive discounts depending on group size, booking online and which tour options you choose.
Guided tours are generally around $15-$20 USD more expensive, as seen below.
Times
The Sydney Opera House opening hours go from 9 am to 8:30 pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on a Sunday.
On a side note, you should know the surrounding Bennelong Point is open to the population throughout the day. It’s also the perfect spot for watching a sunrise or sunset.
Monday – Saturday: 9am – 8:30pm
Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Best Time to Go
With the Opera House being open 7 days a week, you get versatility when deciding when to go. Morning or late evenings are usually the more preferable options. Try to catch the tours before 11 am or after 4 pm.
October, November, March, and April are some of Sydney’s prime sightseeing months!
Sydney Opera House Inside Tours
You may be wondering what’s in store when you visit Bennelong Point. Majority of the guided tours are somewhat customizable. You’ll get to choose just how in-depth you want to go.
With so many stages and rooms inside the complex, it would be wise to do some research into which Sydney Opera House rooms pique your interest.
Be warned, some stages may be closed due to preparations for a show or renovations, so make sure you’re prepared and structure your tour accordingly.
Sydney Opera House Tour Options
The Opera House has a lot of variety when it comes to touring its many rooms. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and limited time to do it, so it pays to have some good tour options.
Below you can find some of our best picks for you to make use of.
Walking Tour
On this Sydney Opera House walking tour, you’ll discover not only what went into the designing and building of its 300 corridors and 1000 rooms. You’ll also get to walk on the roof of the building, touch the tiles and get a stunning view of Sydney Harbour.
The Opera House is filled with tales and folklore and goes beyond its construction. You’re in for a detailed and entertaining tour.
- Professional Tour Guide
- English, German, Spanish, and French options
- Roof Walk
- Transport to and from the venue
- VIP access to off-limit areas
- Meals and snacks
If your goal is to go on a detailed tour of the theater, perfect for the whole family, then this is the best option you could take. It’s neither long enough to be boring nor overstuffed with information.
You can explore, learn and appreciate your surroundings without asking your kids to focus for too long.
Check Price & BookOpera House Inside VIP Tour
This tour is for those travelers looking to go above and beyond a typical visit to the theater. You’ll not only get to enjoy all the benefits of the standard tour, but you’ll get access to rooms and locations within the building normally off-limits.
The tour is limited to a small group as well, which means you get a more personal experience. You’ll see where the stars rehearse for their performance, stand on stage, and get to eat where they eat: the famous Green Room.
- Access to normally off-limit areas
- Breakfast in the Green Room
- Professional Tour Guide
- Transport to and from venue
- Refunds
- Afternoon tours
If you’re an arty soul or have a desire to stand on the stage that so many famous stars have stood on before then you have to try this tour out.
Other than getting to explore the VIP sections of the theater, you’ll also get added insight into some funny behind-the-scenes stories. One’s a regular tour wouldn’t be able to provide.
Specification: Sydney Opera House Tour (Times, Prices, Options) 2024
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Anonymous – Australia –
My dad sang at the Opera House, I think in the seventies, with the Royal Opera from Covent Garden UK and Joan Sutherland, so for me it was a pilgrimage of sorts! I was totally enthralled by the entire experience. The architecture is amazing, so relivant of its day and still of today! Can't say enough good things about the whole adventure.
Hans – Germany –
Gute Führung durch das Gebäude, sehr schmackhaftes Abendessen und eine tolle Oper – il nozze di Figaro
Anonymous – Australia –
Surprisingly good service. We bought our tix from “GetYourGuide” the day before we went but we weren’t aware that we couldn’t change the time (the tours run every hour). When we got to the venue they said changing the time was no problem at all! Had we known this it would have saved us a LOT of stress & angst. The Sydney Opera House was wonderful.
Anonymous – Australia –
Wish I could do it all again! Excellent tour guide (thanks Ben!) we all learned so much about what it takes to put on a show, on such a grand stage(s). It was great to feel a part of the "magic" for just a few hours. This tour is excellent for anyone with a passion or a background in performance arts and everything that comes with that, costumes/sets/props. Or if you're just interested in how stuff works, engineers/architects . If I had the time (and the money!) I'd do it all again tomorrow. The breakfast was great, made to order and was filling. It was an early start to the day though, so a bit painful for us having seen a show the night before – but well worth it. Can't recommend it enough. Thanks team! It was the best birthday gift to myself ever. Karen.