Sydney Opera House, Sydney

4 more images

Nearly all visitors that visit Sydney want to visit the Sydney Opera House while they are here..This wonderful piece of Architecture is a magnet for visitors..it would have to be the most photographed subject in Sydney and it is photographed from all angles to capture its uniqueness..There are just so many different things that one can do here ..Most visitors go for for a photo opportunity outside..The most popular of course is to see a show..wheather it be a cabaret, theatre, concert of classical or contemporary music..some people opt for one of the tours..or..just sit and have a coffee or high tea...I was there again recently just to find out what was on offer..and the staff were just so helpful to my needs..I thank them..
THE ESSENTIAL TOUR..Daily..every 30 minutes between 9.00am and 5.00pm..duration 1 hour. This tour is an audio visual presentation and tells the contrevertial Opera House story..
THE BACKSTAGE TOUR.Daily at 7am..This tour gives you access to areas normally reserved only for stars and performers..visit back stage areas and see dressing rooms etc..and includes a full breakfast in the "Green Room".NOTE...back stage tour includes 300 steps..not recommended for children under 12 years of age..ALSO NOTE..The Green Room is not open on Sundays or Holidays..only continental breakfast served at an alternative venue on these days.
OPERA TO A TEA....How about this romantic and unique opportunity..High Tea at the Sydney Opera House is becoming a must do in the Harbour city....This is really something..They have created this "High Tea"where you are welcomed with a glass of sparkling Australian wine then presented with an assortment of beautiful teas ,exquisite savouries,pastries and petit fours..The crescendo of this afternoon is a private performance for you by an acclaimed opera singer that will leave you entranced..
HIGH TEA..Every Wednesday2 till 4 pm..bookings at the guided tours desk and are essential ..
ALSO ASK ABOUT THESE OTHER ACTIVITIES..THE RED CARPET..SEA AND STAGE...AND SHOWCASE..
The Sydney Opera House is one of the buisiest Opera Houses in the world with over 1500 live performances every year.. This is really a unique building to visit and is a MUST SEE when in Sydney..There is something here for everyone ...as you can see there is just so much to see and do here.. This is a world heritage site..
This information thanks to Sydney Opera house staff information desk.....

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. : )

4 more images

What can I say about Sydney Opera House that has not yet been said? Not much. This beautiful white structre will just blow your mind away.

The roof is comprised of 10 sails. The Opera House is home to the Sydney Syphony and tours can be taken of the interior.

We decided to explore the exterior of the Opera House and pass up on the interior visit.

To see this building in photos and videos is one thing, but to see it in person exceeded my expectations. It's bigger than I thougth it would be and the fact that you can walk all around the outside of it is great too.

My very first trip to Australia was the year of the bicentennial - 1988, and after a 20+ hour flight and meeting my friends at the airport for the first time, they asked me "what do you want to see?" I excitedly said THE OPERA HOUSE!!! They happily obliged my request and drove right up to the SOH, and I practically jumped out and ran up the steps and just had to touch the 'sails' of the building. They are small little tiles, in two alternating colours which gives the building the shine that you see. It was 9:30 at night, and it was a clear night. the Harbour Bridge is in plain view and also a sight to see in itself.

I've now been to the SOH a dozen or so times and the enormity of the building, the view and the history of the building never ceases to AMAZE me. It's bigger than it looks in photos, and the photo opportunities here are endless. So many good vantage points to view the harbour, the bridge and for those Kodak moments you want to cherish for a lifetime.

A MUST SEE!!! (See the link below for the history, schedule, tour info and facts of this architectural masterpiece.) !

4 more images

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.

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

4 more images

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.

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.

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.

On the first day I came to Sydney, it was a bit of a grey day and when we went to Circular Quay and saw the Opera House I wasn't all that impressed by it. However when I took the ferry to Manly it was a beautiful day and I couldn't stop myself from snapping more and more pictures. It looks great in sunny weather since the white tiles on the roofs reflect the sun in a great way. What a sight!!!