#2: Going Inside the Sydney Opera House
The Opera House seems to be the Eiffel Tower of Sydney: it’s the most recognized landmark in the city, the thing that you see upon arriving and think—Yes. I’m here. I got a little giddy as I spotted the trademark white, swooping arches as my plane landed in Sydney.
Although the architecture is strikingly unique, I didn’t know much more about the Opera House. That’s why I included a tour of it on my Australia bucket list–but in addition to the tour, I went a step further and saw a show inside the Opera House.
What’s amazing about the Opera House is that it’s recognized all over the world, yet it was built fairly recently. In 1956, the New South Wales premier announced an international competition to design Sydney’s new Opera House on the harbour. After his designs were tossed out by the first round of judges, Jørn Utzon’s simple but daring sketches were pulled from the trash by an American judge who arrived a few days late.
Construction began on the Opera House in 1964. But even as work began on never-before-done arches, they weren’t even sure if it could be done. The project ultimately went more than 15 times over budget and 10 years past the projected completion rate, with Utzon being kicked off the project mid-construction. However, the Opera House was inaugurated by the Queen in 1973, named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005 and Utzon ultimately came back to design a final room–so it’s all a happy ending.
The Essential Tour of the Sydney Opera House is worth the money: it’s super informative and engaging (Tip: book online to save more than $10). The tour guide’s spiels are supplemented with short films that show actual footage of the construction site. If you schedule it at the right time, you’ll get to peek into all the rooms: the drama theatre, orchestra hall, opera room (tours aren’t allowed when productions are in progress).
The Opera House makes the majority of its income on tourism–the arts are suffering in Sydney just as they are around the world. Show prices are surprisingly reasonable, especially if you’re under 30 years old. I saw In the Next Room or the vibrator play, and really enjoyed the show (mostly because of the iconic venue).
After the tour, sip a drink or munch on the fish and chips at the Opera Bar, located beneath the Opera House. It’s a popular bar with tourists and locals alike, due to its open, breezy terrace and arresting views of the Harbour Bridge.
Have you been to the Sydney Opera House? What did you think of it?
