Access Programs

The Sydney Opera House is a popular vantage point for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks. As large crowds are expected, a dedicated accessible viewing area is available at the Opera House for registered guests.

Site description

• Accessible toilets
• Security and first aid onsite
• No BYO alcohol
• Food and drink available 
• No seating. Small fold-up chairs permitted
• No shade. Wear a hat and protective clothing
• No sunshades. Personal umbrellas (no more than 125cm in diameter) permitted
• Moderate gradients to the site. Steep incline on Macquarie Street

Site entry

Accessible patrons may enter from 7:30am when the Opera House site opens to the public. From 10am, entry is from the corner of Macquarie and Albert Streets. 

The designated accessible viewing area is 600 metres downhill from the entry.

Booking information

The NYE accessible viewing area is now at capacity. If you wish to join the waitlist please call 02 9250 7777 or email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com

Getting here

Public transport is the best way to get around on New Year’s Eve. Driving is not recommended.

Macquarie Street will be closed to traffic from 10am on Tuesday 31 December until 4am on New Year’s Day. There will be no access to the Sydney Opera House Wilson Carpark during the road closure.

Circular Quay station is 260 metres from the Macquarie Street gate. Trains will not stop at Circular Quay after 5pm on Tuesday 31 December. The station will reopen at 1am on Wednesday 1 January.

For those who require mobility assistance, an accessible buggy transport service will be provided between the Sydney Opera House site and a vehicle pick-up and drop-off location at the intersection of Macquarie Street and Bent Street from 3pm on Tuesday 31 December, and post-event from 1am. 

View the access map for travel from St James and Martin Place to east Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House. For up-to-date citywide transport information, visit www.transportnsw.info.

We are delighted to announce dancer and choreographer Dean Walsh as the recipient of the 2019 Create Space Dance Residency. Dean will use the two week opportunity to continue developing his solo work Threshold:NRC. 

The Create Space Dance Residency invites mid-career independent dance artists, collectives, collaborators and companies of any dance genre where the lead artist has a disability to submit an application.

Create Space activities may involve creative development, research, mentorships, rehearsal and remounting of work. Applicants can apply for a residency of one or two weeks.

Primary applicants should be NSW based and an Ausdance NSW member however, collaborators may be interstate or internationally based. You can become a member here www.ausdancensw.com.au

Create Space recipients receive: 

• $5000 in support awarded by Sydney Opera House 
• Two weeks of residency space at the Jubilee Room at the Parramatta Town Hall.
• Pre-residency planning support from Ausdance NSW - Administrative support from Ausdance NSW for the showing of work during residency  (if required) - Promotion of artist/residency through Ausdance NSW and Form Dance Projects e-news   and social media 
• A studio visit from Ausdance NSW or Form Dance Projects during the residency

More information and applications