Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Step inside the Sydney Opera House – where extraordinary architecture meets extraordinary performances. Your ticket to a magical experience awaits. Explore the best ways to visit, explore, and enjoy this icon.

The Sydney Opera House is the symbol of modern Australia, the nation’s leading tourism destination, one of the world’s busiest performing arts centres, and a community meeting place that belongs to all Australians. The building has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and its social asset value is estimated by Deloitte at $11.4 billion.

The building stands on Bennelong Point, known to the traditional custodians, the Gadigal, as Tubowgule. We honour and raise awareness of that heritage while supporting inclusion, environmental sustainability and accessibility for a better world.

In 2019, we became the first major arts institution in Australia to commit to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals. The reason was simple: we believed then, and now, that creativity has a key role to play in building a more sustainable, equitable and fairer future.

Our 50th anniversary celebrations, in 2023, were as much about the future as about the past. In line with our ambition to be Everyone’s House, we continue to evolve with the community we were built to serve.

Landmark, skyline-dominating arts centre for opera, theatre, music & dance, plus guided tours. The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic and recognisable buildings in the world, renowned for its unique architecture and cultural significance. Located on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, the Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a central landmark in Sydney.

Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and completed in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is celebrated for its distinctive sail-like roof structures, which create a dramatic silhouette against the Sydney skyline. The building’s innovative design and construction techniques have made it a symbol of modern architecture and an enduring icon of the city.

The Opera House is home to multiple performance spaces, including the Concert Hall, the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, and the Forecourt. It hosts a wide range of performances, from classical concerts and opera to theatre and contemporary music. The venue is known for its acoustics and the high quality of its productions, attracting world-class artists and performers from around the globe.

In addition to its performance spaces, the Sydney Opera House offers guided tours that provide insights into the building’s history, architecture, and the work of the artists who perform there. These tours allow visitors to explore behind the scenes and learn about the design and construction of this architectural masterpiece.

The Opera House is also a popular spot for events and celebrations, including New Year’s Eve fireworks and other major public festivities. Its waterfront location provides stunning views of Sydney Harbour, making it a picturesque setting for both visitors and locals.

With its striking design, cultural significance, and vibrant program of events, the Sydney Opera House remains a central and celebrated landmark in Sydney’s cultural landscape.

The Sydney Opera House is open daily, typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for general visits and tours. However, opening hours can extend for performances, which occur at different times depending on the events scheduled, often running into the evening.