Sydney Opera House must be one of the most recognisable images of the modern world - up there with the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building - and one of the most photographed.

Not only is it recognisable, it has come to represent 'Australia'.
Although only having been open since 1973, it is as representative of Australia as the pyramids are of Egypt and the Colosseum of Rome.

Construction of the building commenced in March 1959 and proceeded in slow stages over the next fourteen years. The Opera house was opened on October the 20th 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II Under the shell roofs and within the massive podium are:

The Concert Hall, seating 2679
The Opera Theatre, seating 1547
The Drama Theatre, seating 544
The Playhouse, seating 398
The Studio, seating between 220 and 324
5 rehearsal studios
60 dressing rooms
5 restaurants
6 theatre bars
5 foyer and lounge areas
The ‘Green Room’ for performers and staff

Sydney Opera House is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust. This was established in 1961, although the number of members has reduced and the committee reconstituted by new legislation enacted in early 1969. Its chief executive is the general manager of the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Opera House is open for nearly 16 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day and Good Friday. There are staff on duty at all times, every day.

The Concert Hall

The Concert Hall is the largest interior venue at the Sydney Opera House. With its high vaulted ceiling and interior finishes of brush box and white birch timber, it is designed primarily for acoustic performances.

The maximum seating capacity is 2,679, with approximately 2,100 seats situated in front of the stage (most appropriate for amplified concerts). The concert platform is 14m to 17m wide x 11m deep with a floor area of approximately 200m2. Stage extensions can be added to increase stage depth, with the loss of 85 seats. Stage access and wing space are limited.

The Opera Theatre

The Opera Theatre is a proscenium arch lyric theatre with an orchestra pit accommodating up to 70 musicians. The three companies which present annual programs in the Opera Theatre are Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet and Sydney Dance Company. It is most suitable for opera, ballet and contemporary dance. The maximum seating capacity is 1,507, with 883 in the stalls, 466 in the dress circle and 158 in boxes, some of which have restricted sightlines.

The Drama Theatre

The Drama Theatre is a medium sized proscenium arch theatre. The performing companies that use the Drama Theatre are Sydney Theatre Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Festival, Sydney Opera House and Bell Shakespeare. It is most suitable for drama, dance and small scale musical productions as well as spoken word presentations. The maximum seating capacity is 544 in 19 rows. The auditorium is raked from the fourth row, ensuring good sightlines from all seats.

The Play House

Playhouse is one of the most intimate performance venues within the Sydney Opera House. The performing companies that present annual programs in the Playhouse are Sydney Festival, Sydney Opera House and Bell Shakespeare Company.

The maximum seating capacity is 398 in 17 rows. The fully raked auditorium ensures good sightlines from all seats

The Studio

The Studio is a contemporary performing arts venue at Sydney Opera House, situated between the Playhouse and Drama Theatre on the Western Broadwalk. Sydney Festival utilises The Studio each January and the balance of the annual program of events for The Studio is curated by Sydney Opera House and presented under within key program strands including The Studio at Sydney Opera House, House:ED and Young Audiences programs.

This intimate, flexible venue, the smallest in the complex, is designed primarily for new music and contemporary performance. It is also suitable for cabaret, small theatrical productions and spoken word presentations.
The maximum seating capacity ranges from 220 to 350, depending on venue configuration.

Tours

The sydney opera house offers a choice of three guided tours:

1. Tour of the House – A journey through the extraordinary. A memorable opportunity to see this miracle of architecture up close. Explore the theatres of the House and learn about Australia's thriving performing arts scene. Your guide will bring to life the stories and secrets behind this international landmark. See inside the major theatres and halls, where some 2,500 events and performances are staged each year and learn what's on during your stay.
2. Foreign Language Tour - Our popular one-hour Tour of the House is available with a Japanese, Korean or Mandarin-speaking guide.
3. Backstage Tour - Gain exclusive access to areas normally reserved for performers and crew. Sit in the orchestra's pit. Stand where legends have performed. Get inside the stars' dressing rooms. Hear about the real life dramas that go on behind the curtain. Booking is essential.

Performance Packages

Our Performance Packages allow you to create your perfect Sydney evening...Combine a performance of your choice, a 1-hour Tour and either dinner at one of Sydney's finest restaurants, or a sunset cruise on the harbour. As a special guest of Sydney Opera House you'll be greeted by one of our Guest Liaison Representatives upon arrival and enjoy one of the best seats in the House.
1. Starry Nights - Your 1-hour Tour commences at 5pm. Indulge in a pre-theatre dinner at Guillame at Bennelong, or a pre or post-theatre dinner at Aria.
Enjoy a worldclass performance and relax with an interval drink at one of our theatre bars.
2. Sunset Cruise - Your 1-hour dinner cruise commences at 5pm. Take in the beauty of Sydney Harbour aboard the prestigious MV Sydney 2000. Wander along the foreshore to Sydney Opera House.
Enjoy a world-class performance and relax with an interval drink at one of our theatre bars
3. Show Case - Enjoy a world-class performance and relax with an interval drink at one of our theatre bars.

Restaurants and Bars

The Sydney Opera House has an exciting range of restaurants, cafes and bars open on site. Experience our mix of quality dining through to stylish cocktails to a quick snack - sit down and enjoy the atmosphere of Sydney Opera House

1.Guillaume at Bennelong - offers contemporary Australian cuisine with a classical French influence and has a range of dining choices
2. High Tea - Under the world’s most famous sails, there is an elegant dining room boasting spectacular views of a sparkling harbour. You will be welcomed with a glass of fine Australian sparkling, a selection of stylish sandwiches, an assortment of beautiful teas, and exquisite petit fours. An opera singer will add to the ambience
Opera Bar - Opera Bar is the quintessential Sydney experience.
Located on the lower concourse of the Sydney Opera House it enjoys unrivalled views of the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and the spectacular city skyline.
3.Opera Bar is the superlative live entertainment venue in Sydney presenting a diversity of entertainment 7 nights a week.
4.Bistro Mozart - Operating under the direction of well known Sydney chef Guillaume Brahimi, Bistro Mozart offers patrons quality meals two hours prior to all Opera Theatre or Concert Hall performances.
5. Sidewalk Cafe + Bar - Providing light, quality meals and snacks at affordable prices, the Menu includes gourmet sandwiches, pies, sushi, hot pasta, daily specials, fresh juices, ice cream, coffee, cakes and more. Either eat in the alfresco harbour side setting or take away.
6.Theatre Bars - Meet at any one of our theatre bars for a casual drink and an elegant snack.
7.Café West and Bar - Nestled beneath the Sydney Opera House Colonnade which looks out over our spectacular harbour is Café West
Serving a simple menu of light refreshments and tempting desserts, this is the perfect spot to start or finish a sparkling evening.

Transport and Access

Sydney Opera House believes in equal access for all and that people with a disability have the right to fully participate in the community.
1. Public Transport - Circular Quay is a five to seven minute walk from the Sydney Opera House. You can catch buses, trains and ferries to Circular Quay.
2. Free shuttle bus service - Designed for elderly and less mobile customers, seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Bus leaves from Circular Quay at Stand E in front of Wharf 2. Set down and pick-ups for return trips after performances is near the vehicle turning area at Sydney Opera House, close to all venues.
Sydney Opera House Car Park

Wilson Parking manages and operates Wilson's Sydney Opera House car park, which is a public car park serving Sydney Opera House visitors and ticket buyers, as well as visitors and residents of East Circular Quay and Macquarie Street. Being a public car park, availability is difficult to predict and may be limited, especially at times of busy activity at Sydney Opera House and its surrounding areas. Sydney Opera House recommends that those wishing to use this car park arrive early.

Staff Assistance

Sydney Opera House staff are happy to provide customers with assistance, however staff are unable to lift or carry customers for safety reasons. We recommend that customers requiring this type of assistance are accompanied by a designated carer. Please note that all individuals (including companions and carers) must have tickets to be admitted into a performance space.