Draw the House

  • This tour runs Dates vary
  • Run time – 75 minutes

Slow down, observe…

Meet at the Welcome Centre

Create a range of drawings inspired by one of the world’s most iconic buildings. Once a month join like-minded creative souls to explore the Opera House and its surroundings through the eyes of an artist. Working with a different artist each month, explore various drawing techniques, and perspectives inspired by one of the world’s most iconic buildings.

You will also learn from an expert Tour Guide about the influence of visual arts in the Opera House's history, including the beautiful tapestries that grace our venues and foyer spaces.

Drawing is practical as an architectural and engineering blueprint, but it is also a tool for creative expression and making meaning, visually documenting what we see or imagine on paper, for others to view, interpret and enjoy.

From the very beginning, drawings have played a significant role in the Opera House’s history – a global architectural competition saw entries from all over the world, where a relatively unknown Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, became the winner of a new National Opera House for Sydney. Utzon’s original and somewhat controversial design was an imaginative sculptural response that the judges were convinced would be ‘capable of becoming one of the great buildings of the world’.

Tour details

Drawing is a way of coming upon the connection between things; just like metaphor in poetry reconnects what has become separated.

John Berger - Art Critic, Novelist, Painter & Poet

About the artists

Sign up for Centre for Creativity updates

We announce new workshops quarterly. If you want to be the first to know, sign up to receive updates from Sydney Opera House and be the first to know about upcoming workshops in our Centre for Creativity. 

Sign up to our newsletter

You may also like

Architecture Club

23 Aug – 22 Nov 2025

Inspired by the unique design genius of architect Jørn Utzon and the Sydney Opera House, get creative through a series of fun and playful design exercises for beginners or design lovers, whilst learning about the architectural history of the Sydney Opera House.

  • Workshops

Public Choir - Big Heart Sing

4 Aug & 10 Nov 2025

Join our Big Heart Sing Choir – a joyous celebration of the simple power of communal song. Open up your heart to creativity and the power of song! On Monday nights, the Centre for Creativity opens its doors to the people of Sydney to join our monthly Big Heart Sing Choir – a joyous celebration of the simple power of communal song. Each session you will sing a different repertoire - from Beatles to Beethoven and ABBA to Opera. Our Choir begins at 5:30pm so you can drop in on your way home from work, or join us before the sun sets.

  • Workshops

Belgian Perspectives: The New Circus Genre

3 Oct 2025

Join us for an exclusive Artist-to-Artist Conversation with the creators of Murmur, the acrobatic sound theatre performance by Belgian company Grensgeval in collaboration with Aifoon.​

  • Workshops

Attending this tour

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the Sydney Opera House

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.