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Conservation Tour

The Opera House’s commitment to conservation ensures the building and performances it hosts can continue to be enjoyed by all, while enabling the evolution and change required of a living performing arts centre. It ensures the Opera House continues to live, in Utzon’s words, “at the edge of the possible”.

Join Alan Croker, author of the Sydney Opera House's Conservation Management Plan, on this special guided tour that takes in some back of house areas and highlights the heritage conservation and management of this World Heritage listed masterpiece. The tour will include examples of the past Decade of Renewal works for acoustic and accessibility upgrades as well as examples of daily conservation to maintain this thriving performing arts centre. 

COVID-19 safety 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.

Tour runs on Friday 21 April at 2pm We encourage you to purchase your tour in advance

The Conservation Tour departs at 2pm on Friday 21 April 2023.

There is a maximum of 30 people for the tour. 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.

Running time approximately 90 mins+ The tour will conclude with light refreshments at Portside Sydney

This time is from when one of our guides meets guests at their check-in point through to the end of the tour. Please check-in at Stage Door located beneath Monumental Steps of the Opera House.

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, please contact our Reservations team on 02 9250 7250.

The tour will conclude with light refreshments at Portside Sydney. 

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Tour in English

This tour is currently only available in English. 

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. Learn more about the 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.
Sydney Opera House 50th Anniversary Industry Tours
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Conserving Sydney Opera House

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a COVID Safe business?

Yes. The Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government.  

What safety and hygiene measures are in place?

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. Our COVID-19 health and safety information is available on the Plan your visit page.

Do I need to be vaccinated to visit the Sydney Opera House?

The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Am I required to wear a mask?

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.

How are you managing contact tracing? 

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.

Do I need to book in advance?

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 Stage Door located beneath the Monumental Steps of the Opera House.

Can I make a booking for 10 people or more?

Yes, though our maximum capacity per tour is 30 people. You can make a group booking online or by calling 02 9250 7250. Our Reservations team will assist with your reservation.

What happens if I can't make my tour?

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.

What are the transport options to the Opera House?

You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a 6 minute walk to the Opera House. If you’re getting dropped off in a car, head to the roundabout at the bottom of Macquarie Street where staff will direct you to a safe place to pull over.

Driving? Park in Wilson’s Car Park, you’re just minutes to your tour meeting point. Need a bit more info? Click here

Where do I go for the tour?

The tour meeting point is at the Stage Door located under the Monumental Steps of the Opera House.

View map

What time do I need to arrive before my tour?

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. Please note we are unable to cloak bags larger than A4 size. 

If I am late for my tour what can I do?

If you are going to be late for your tour please call our Reservations team on 02 9250 7250 for assistance.

What should I wear?

So long as you’re wearing shoes and a shirt, whatever you like. We’re pretty informal here at the Opera House. There’s no real dress code for tours, so you’ll fit right in with casual attire. 

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! 

What can I bring with me on the tour?

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.

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.

Will we go inside all the theatres on 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. 

Where can I eat nearby?

The tour includes light refreshments at Portside Sydney.

Alternatively, satisfy your hunger at one of the many restaurants and bars here at the Opera House. Our restaurants offer everything from casual snacks to award-winning fine dining. Find what you’re after, see our Restaurants.

Will the building maintenance works at the Opera House affect the tour?

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.

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