Schools Tour
Term 1 and 2
Welcome Centre | Tour
The Sydney Opera House Schools Tour takes students on a walking journey to learn about how Australia and a man from Denmark, Jørn Utzon, created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of twentieth-century architecture and the city of Sydney as we know it.
School tours are available for various dates in term 1 & 2, 10am - 2.30pm.
For tour bookings please contact tourism@sydneyoperahouse.com or phone us on +61 2 9250 7250.
For a tour and workshop or performance booking please contact creativelearning@sydneyoperahouse.com or phone us on +61 2 9250 7770.
|
Ticket |
Price |
|---|---|
|
Student |
$18 |
|
Tour & creative learning workshop (primary only) |
$28 |
Minimum 12 students per booking.
Teacher tickets are complimentary.
The only Authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Suitable for Years K - 12 (Stages ES1 - 6)
Capacity per tour is 12 students with 1 teacher per group. Multiple groups can be accommodated.
Run time
Running time ranges from 1 hour - 3.5 hours.
The tour times range depending on a tour, tour and show or tour and workshop.
Our tour guides will meet you at the Welcome Centre to begin the tour.
Curriculum alignment
Each Schools Tour is devised to align with the Australian National Curriuclum cross-cirricula priorties and general capabilities, in particular critical and creative thinking, ethical understanding, intercultural understanding, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture priority and Sustainability priorities.
The Schools Tour incorporates a creative learning approach to guiding students on a journey throughout the Opera House and includes performative activities, games and reflection questions.
Fun and interactive tour for school students
The Sydney Opera House Schools Tour takes students on a walking journey to learn about how Australia and a man from Denmark, Jørn Utzon, created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of twentieth-century architecture and the city of Sydney as we know it.
Uncover the history of this UNESCO world heritage site – from its beginnings as a First Nations meeting place for sharing stories and celebrating connection to culture and tradition, to Utzon’s competition winning design that almost didn’t get selected!
In this tour, students learn about:
The First Nations culture and histories embedded in the site of Bennelong Point
Jørn Utzon and the architects, engineers and builders he collaborated with to create the Sydney Opera House, including the Design Principles that guided his thinking and architectural practice,
The extraordinary range of performances, creatives and behind the scenes practitioners who have delivered and performed innovate works of art on the stages of the Opera House, and
How the Opera House supports future thinking and ideas through community and sustainability projects that improve social and environmental outcomes for the building, city and its visitors. Students can spend the day immersed in the stories, history and creativity of the Sydney Opera House when you pair a Schools Tour with one of our workshops or performances, for a full day out excursion.
Students can spend the day immersed in the stories, history and creativity of the Sydney Opera House when you pair a Schools Tour with one of our workshops or performances, for a full day out excursion.
Teachers & Students
In 2023 we bring you a curated range of performances, workshops, tours and experiences to both activate the curriculum in imaginative ways, and to provide high quality arts experiences to develop our young people’s capacity to connect with their peers through the power of creativity.
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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