Sydney Opera House
Architectural brilliance, world-class performances and harbour views that stay with you
Few landmarks define a city the way the Sydney Opera House does. Its sails rise over the harbour with a kind of quiet confidence, drawing visitors, artists and locals into one shared moment of awe. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, the Opera House always gives you something new to discover.
Set on Bennelong Point, a place of gathering and celebration for First Nations people for millennia, the Opera House continues that legacy in its own way. More than a global icon, it’s a working performing arts centre that hosts over 1,600 shows a year — from opera, ballet and symphony concerts to comedy, contemporary dance and boundary-pushing theatre. Step inside any of the venues and you’ll feel that unmistakable sense of occasion.
A masterpiece to explore
Even without a performance ticket, the Opera House is worth wandering. Walk around the forecourt to see its curves and tiles up close, framed by the water on one side and the Royal Botanic Garden on the other. Stay after sunset and you’ll catch the sails illuminated with Badu Gili, a powerful daily projection celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistry. During Vivid Sydney, the building becomes the beating heart of the festival, glowing with colour and light.
Dining with a view
Here, dining is part of the experience. Bennelong offers fine dining inside one of the sails, with a menu that matches the setting. Opera Bar stretches along the water with panoramic harbour views — ideal for oysters and a spritz while watching ferries hum across the bay. For something more relaxed, House Canteen is perfect for a quick bite between shows.
Getting there from Hotel Woolstore 1888
Reaching the Opera House is simple. Catch the Light Rail from Pyrmont to Circular Quay, or enjoy a scenic ferry ride from Pyrmont Bay Wharf — a beautiful way to see the harbour unfold as you approach one of the world’s most recognisable buildings. A taxi or rideshare will also get you there in around 10–15 minutes depending on traffic.
However you arrive, the Opera House has a way of stopping you in your tracks.
Image credit: Destination NSW
