Sydney Opera House

Opened in 1973 and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Sydney Opera House is the image most people carry of Australia. Its white shells, designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon, sit on Bennelong Point between Circular Quay and the Royal Botanic Garden.

A guided tour of about an hour takes you inside the concert hall and tells the story of its long, difficult construction. Evening performances range from opera and ballet to concerts and comedy, so check the programme for your dates and we will reserve seats.

For the classic photograph of the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge behind it, walk through the Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, ideally late in the afternoon. The forecourt steps are a pleasant place to sit and watch the ferries come and go.