Plan your excursion
Booking on-site programs
Our performances, workshops and other events for students can book out early and it is not always possible for us to program extra events - plan ahead to guarantee your booking.
Use this information to prepare a risk assessment and risk management plan. Teachers undertaking a risk assessment and risk management plan should be aware that Sydney Opera House cannot complete the risk assessment for them.
Visit the relevant event page and complete the online booking form. One of our Creative Learning team will be in contact to process your orders. Let us know on your booking form your preferred activities and dates and if you’d like a full day out excursion at the Sydney Opera House.
Our Creative Learning team will confirm your booking and invoice you for a non-refundable amount of 25% with a payment due date. It is your responsibility to forward the tax invoice to your Financial Officer for payment by the due date. Once you have paid your deposit, your booking is secure and your numbers can be amended (depending on availability), up until full payment has been received, 6 weeks before the activity.
Need some assistance?
If eligible, apply for Arts Assist Ticket and Travel subsidy.
Full payment is required 6 weeks prior to the performance date or your booking will be automatically released.
Before you arrive onsite, the Creative Learning Team will email you an excursion information booklet complete with social story, risk assessment, links to learning resources and important details about your excursion.
- Once booked, an invoice for the deposit amount of 25% will be automatically issued.
- Payment of the deposit is due within 10 working days to confirm the reservation. Cancellation of the booking can be made at any time during those 10 working days without penalty.
- Once the deposit is paid, it is non-refundable and will be deducted from the total amount due.
- Confirmation of final numbers and final balance is required 6 weeks prior to the performance date or we must have received the final purchase order from EdConnect.
- If no balance of payment is received, Sydney Opera House reserves the right to cancel your booking and your deposit will be forfeited.
- Once full balance is paid, it is non-refundable, and a reduction of numbers is not permitted after the payment due date.
- Requests for additional tickets must be submitted in writing and are subject to availability. Sydney Opera House will accommodate your preferred performance times if possible but cannot guarantee availability.
- Please check your invoice carefully as this is a confirmation of your booking date and time. Bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If you have any specific needs/access requests, please let us know at the time of booking or as soon as possible before the performance date.
- If you have concerns about your ability to meet these terms and conditions, please contact the Creative Learning team via email.
Need some financial support with your excursion? If eligible, apply for Arts Assist Ticket and Travel subsidy.
Booking Digital Creative Learning programs
Sydney Opera House provides a digital creative learning program to students across Australia, free for Australian schools.
To book, select a program and request a booking via our Digital Creative Learning booking request form.
Once you have made a booking request, our Creative Learning team will be in touch via email to confirm your booking and provide further connection details.
Visiting the Sydney Opera House
Please ensure that your group arrives at the venue 30 minutes prior to the performance start time. Latecomers may only be admitted to a performance during a suitable break, and in some cases, may be excluded. Please call the Creative Learning team on 02 9250 7770 to notify us if you are running late.
Prepare your students for their onsite visit with our access friendly social story.
We are a 15-minute walk from Circular Quay, the closest station for public transport via train, bus and ferry. To view timetable information and ensure your public transport needs can be met, please check the Transport NSW website.
Buses and coaches can’t park onsite at Sydney Opera House. Large buses must disembark passengers on Macquarie Street in the allocated drop off zone. Please contact City of Sydney to confirm bus and coach set down areas. We recommend allowing an additional 10 minutes for walking from Macquarie Street.
Your safety and security is paramount to us during your visit to the Opera House. Therefore, all items larger than the dimensions of a standard A4 piece of paper must be checked in to the cloakroom. As they have limited space, we ask that teachers and students do not bring large bags/backpacks to the performance. Some bag trolleys may be available for your school in the Western Foyers. Please ensure that any prohibited items are left at home (e.g. scissors).
Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch and snacks, however you’ll find food and drinks outlets on the lower level of the concourse.
Please note food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but only bottled water in the venues.
We recommend that students take their meal breaks on the Monumental Steps/Forecourt or in the Botanic Gardens immediately adjacent the SOH precinct. In inclement weather, there is ample room to take breaks underneath the Monumental Steps. In situations of particularly poor weather, breaks can be had in the Western Foyer. We ask that you please limit this to an as needed basis to avoid foyer congestion for other members of the General Public. There are several food and beverage options on site, as well as food and beverage options close by in Circular Quay.
Bathrooms are located throughout the Sydney Opera House site:
- Western Foyers (ground level): on arrival through the Bennelong Tunnel just before the Playhouse, and closest to the Drama Theatre.
- Main Box Office level (upper level): to the right and left of the Main Box office between the Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre venues.
Photography without express permission is prohibited inside Sydney Opera House venues. Feel free to take as many selfies as you want outside of the venues!
After your visit, let us know how your visit was! We really appreciate your feedback so that we can improve our programming and processes.