Architectural Tour
8.15am and 10am Saturdays
Welcome Centre | Tour
Join us on this tour where you'll learn how in the mid-1950s, Australia and a man from Denmark, Jørn Utzon, created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of twentieth-century architecture. To quote US architect Frank Gehry, “(it) changed the image of an entire country.”
Tours run Saturdays at 8.15am and 10am.
We encourage you to purchase your tour in advance.
Please note the Architectural Tour is not available on 31 December 2022, 11 March 2023, 18 March 2023 and 21 October 2023. The tour is also subject to availability.
There is a maximum of 35 people per tour and and a maximum of 11 people per booking. If you would like to make a group booking or are unable to book online, please call 02 9250 7250 to place a reservation via our Reservations team.
|
Ticket |
Price |
|
Adult |
$43 |
|
Child> |
$23 |
|
Concession* |
$33 |
|
Family^ |
$109 |
> Child 5 to 15 years of age. Children under 5 years are free of charge. Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied at all times
* Concessions are available to holders of an Australian Seniors Card, Australian Pensioners, full-time students aged 16+.
^ The family price includes 2 adults and 2 children (15 years and under).
Tour in English
This tour is currently only available in English.
Run time
This tour runs for approximately 1 hour.
Tour duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
What to know before you go
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during a performance and on a tour. Please bring your own mask.
We stage lots of live performances, so venues are subject to availability at the time of your tour.
You’ll be on your feet for a guided tour, there are over 300 stairs, so flat comfortable shoes are recommended. Your feet will thank you!
If you have mobility concerns, you may wish to take a Mobility Access Tour.
We can’t store suitcases or large bags, however you can contact the nearest storage facility at circularquay@baggagestorage.com.au
Videoing is not allowed.
There are plenty of photo opportunities. Your tour guide will advise you if photos are not to be taken at any point.
Delve into the history and construction of the Opera House
Join us on this historical tour where you'll learn how in the mid-1950s, Australia and a man from Denmark, Jørn Utzon, created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of twentieth-century architecture. To quote US architect Frank Gehry, “(it) changed the image of an entire country.”
Hear how visionaries, idealists, architects, engineers, pragmatists and artists together built this architectural and engineering masterpiece that was at the cutting edge of what was possible at the time.
See their work up close on this special tour around the Opera House on Saturdays at 8.15am and 10am.
You will have the opportunity to visit some of the Opera House's many venues and theatres on this tour. Please note that as we are a busy performing arts centre, venues and theatres are subject to availability at the time of your tour.
Eat & drink
Bennelong Point has been a place for feasting and celebrating for millennia. So it's only natural that here at the Opera House, the entertainment jumps from the stage and onto the plate.
Other information
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Frequently asked questions
The tour meeting point is at the Welcome Centre located on the Lower Concourse of the Opera House.
It’s a great idea to arrive early, grab a drink and soak up the view. Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour to allow sufficient time to cloak any large bags.
This should allow enough time for the mandatory visual inspections and/or cloaking of bags and personal belongings by Opera House staff before starting your tour.
Where possible, please leave bags at home. If you bring a bag, those larger than A4 size will need to be cloaked before you can go on the tour. We're unable to store suitcases or large bags as we have limited cloaking facilities.
If you are going to be late for your tour please call our Reservations team on 02 9250 7250 for assistance.
Where possible, please do not bring bags to the Sydney Opera House. Bags larger than A4 size will need to be cloaked before you can go on the tour. However we can’t store suitcases or large bags as our cloaking facilities are extremely limited.
Cameras are allowed on the tour and there are plenty of photo opportunities throughout the entire tour. Your tour guide will advise you whilst on tour if photographs are not to be taken inside any venues. Please note there is no video filming on the tour.
Mobile phones are permitted on the tour however please ensure they are switched off or on silent for the duration of the tour.
You will have the opportunity to visit some of the Opera House’s many venues and theatres on this tour.
Please note that as we are a busy performing arts centre, venues and theatres are subject to availability at the time of your tour.
You can make a booking for up to 11 people though our maximum capacity per tour is 35 people, or 25 people for the Junior Adventure Tour. For capacity reasons the booking must be made by calling 02 9250 7250. Our Reservations team will assist with your reservation.
We encourage you to purchase your tour in advance online or via the phone where you’ll receive an eTicket. Please bring this with you and present it upon check-in at the Welcome Centre located on the Lower Concourse of the Opera House.
The Opera House is currently undertaking critical maintenance works across the site to address water leakage issues affecting the Lower Concourse. These necessary maintenance upgrades are required to mitigate long-term water damage to the Opera House building and its structure. These works will not impact your visit, it's business as usual!
Do ensure that you arrive at the Sydney Opera House at least 15 minutes before your tour to allow sufficient time to cloak any bags and personal belongings.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We encourage you to wear a mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained, and please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Tourism Reservations team on 02 9250 7250.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice.
Yes. The Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during a performance and on a tour. Please bring your own mask.
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
Please contact our Tourism Reservations team on 02 9250 7250 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend. If you can no longer attend because you are unwell, or have been in contact with someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you.
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