[World Heritage] What is the Sydney Opera House? | A piece of art floating on one of the world’s three most beautiful harbors

The Sydney Opera House, a landmark of Sydney and a World Heritage Site, is an impressive tourist spot with a design reminiscent of seashells. Jutting out into Sydney Harbour—counted among the world’s three most beautiful harbors—the Opera House’s unique form was constructed using advanced technology.

It’s a graceful tourist attraction that looks stunning from land, sea, or air. Whether under the bright blue sky of the day, during sunset, or illuminated at night, its breathtaking beauty never fails to impress.
In this guide, we’ll introduce the features, highlights, and access information for the Sydney Opera House, a World Heritage Site renowned for its captivating, meticulously calculated curves.

What is the Sydney Opera House?

The Opera House was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. His innovative design was chosen from 233 entries in an international design competition held in 1956. After 14 years of construction and costs that soared to 14 times the original budget, the Opera House was finally completed in 1973. This architectural masterpiece of the 20th century was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2007 under the name "Sydney Opera House."

The beautiful roof is covered with 1,056,000 tiles made in Sweden. Inside, granite from New South Wales and plywood are used for the interiors. While its grand appearance from a distance is breathtaking, the detailed architectural beauty up close is equally captivating.

The Opera House is a multi-purpose facility, home to three restaurants, six cafes and bars, shops, and a library. It houses five theaters of various sizes and hosts more than 1,600 performances annually. World-renowned operas are performed here, and it’s also famous as the home of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Be sure to experience the charm of the Opera House for yourself!

Access to the Sydney Opera House

It takes about 9 and a half hours to fly from Haneda Airport or Narita Airport to Sydney Airport. From the airport, you can take the City Rail to Circular Quay Station.
From Circular Quay Station, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the Opera House. The convenience of being able to reach it without any transfers from the airport is one of its attractions.

Recommended Point of the Sydney Opera House ①: The Exterior Appeal

The Opera House covers an area of 1.8 hectares, with a total floor area of 4.5 hectares—making it an enormous theater complex. The tiles that cover the roof of the Opera House are white and pale pink. These tiles are naturally washed clean by the rain, keeping the roof looking pristine at all times. The white and beautiful sails of the roof, reminiscent of a yacht, glow orange as they reflect the setting sun. At night, the Opera House illuminated against the dark sky is also a stunning sight.

Mrs. Macquarie’s Point is a popular photo spot where you can capture a beautiful shot of the Opera House together with the Harbour Bridge. Take your time and enjoy the breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour.

Recommended Point of the Sydney Opera House ②: The Interior Charm

The interior of the Opera House halls features pink granite from New South Wales and plywood. The Utzon Room, used for various events, is decorated with timber that recreates Utzon’s design and colorful floral prints.

In the six theaters, a variety of performances are held, including operas, classical concerts, and musicals. The Concert Hall, which can accommodate up to 2,679 people, is home to the world’s largest mechanical pipe organ, which took about 10 years to complete. There are also restaurants run by star chefs and gift shops inside the Opera House.

Recommended Point of the Sydney Opera House ③: Guided Tours

The guided tours around the Opera House’s highlights are very popular! Knowledgeable guides provide explanations in Japanese. You can tour the facility while learning about its history, the struggles of its architect, and secret stories about its construction. Some parts of the tour are also introduced through videos. Though the tour is short, it’s packed with fascinating content that will leave you satisfied.

Additionally, if you visit this World Heritage site, the 2-hour backstage tour is highly recommended. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the stage areas, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a rehearsal. The glass-walled lobby with panoramic views of Sydney Harbour is also part of the tour. Join a guided tour and get to know everything about this World Heritage-listed Opera House!

◎【World Heritage】Sydney Opera House Summary

At the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House, a variety of events are held throughout the year. If the timing is right, you should definitely check out the grand New Year’s Eve countdown or Vivid Sydney, the largest light and sound festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Another great recommendation is to enjoy dinner on a cruise while taking in the stunning views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge along with the beautiful scenery of Sydney Harbour.

Search

Customer Support

Manage Reservation(s)

Search

Customer Support

Manage Reservation(s)

[World Heritage] What is the Sydney Opera House? | A piece of art floating on one of the world’s three most beautiful harbors