Sydney Opera House – Exploring Australia’s Iconic Landmark

When talking about the symbol of Australia, we immediately think of the Sydney Opera House. This world-class art space, hidden behind gigantic shell-like forms on Sydney Harbour, is an architectural masterpiece that fills locals with pride and leaves visitors in awe. Let’s join Vietjet in exploring this one-of-a-kind landmark!

The Sydney Opera House is considered the symbol of Australia.

1. An Overview of the Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House, also known as the “Shell Opera House,” is one of the most iconic architectural works of the 20th century and a symbol of Australia. The building features a truly unique design, resembling overlapping seashells or billowing sails. This masterpiece challenged the traditional boxy and triangular architecture of its time and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, on par with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and Red Square in Russia. Remarkably, after Brasilia (the capital of Brazil), the Sydney Opera House is the second building in the world to be recognized as a cultural heritage site during the creator’s lifetime.

The Sydney Opera House hosts more than 3,000 performances annually for over 2 million spectators, featuring opera, ballet, theater, jazz, pop, classical, and contemporary music, among others. The venue is also home to the world’s largest organ, with 10,154 pipes, which took nearly 10 years to assemble.

Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

2. How to Get to the Sydney Opera House

2.1 Traveling to Australia

Air travel is the main way to get from Vietnam to Australia. Currently, Vietjet operates many direct flights from Vietnam’s international airports to Sydney, with fares starting from just 5,500,000 VND. For the best prices and flexible travel times, it’s recommended to book 1–2 months in advance.

At present, Vietjet offers direct weekly flights to Sydney, departing from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Check the detailed flight schedule now and don’t miss out on great ticket deals from Vietjet!

Currently, Vietjet operates many flights to Australia at surprisingly affordable prices.

2.2 Getting to the Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is quite close to the city center, making it easy to reach by any means of transport. Your destination will be Circular Quay, then it’s just a 6–10 minute walk to the Opera House.

Bicycle: If you go by bike, you can park at the Monumental Steps.
Car: Park at the Wilson Car Park at 2 Macquarie Street (open 24/7).
Bus: If you choose to take the bus, use routes 333, 392, 396, or 399 and get off at Stand D, Circular Quay.

More: Tips for traveling in Australia – A to Z Australia travel guide.

3. The History of the Sydney Opera House

In the 1940s, the plan to build the Sydney Opera House was initiated by Eugene Goossens, the then-director of the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music. He envisioned a grand opera house for the city and lobbied to get the project underway. As a result, a design competition for the Sydney Opera House was held, attracting 233 entries.

The mastermind behind this world-famous masterpiece was the talented Danish architect, Jorn Utzon (1918–2008). At first, it seemed his design would be rejected, but in a fortunate twist, the American-Finnish judge, Eero Saarinen, discovered the submission and persuaded the jury to select it. Thus, Jorn Utzon became the winner of the competition. Thanks to this remarkable project, Utzon was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, and this recognition confirmed the Sydney Opera House as a true masterpiece and one of Australia’s greatest icons of the 20th century.

The Opera House features shell-shaped or sail-like domes. Jorn Utzon took inspiration from the white sails of the ships that brought the great Captain James Cook to new lands. This design broke all conventions of architectural standards at the time, which made the construction process extremely challenging. The model was introduced at Sydney Town Hall in 1957, but construction only began in 1959 and took 14 years to complete.

The design of the Sydney Opera House was inspired by the white sails that brought Captain James Cook to new lands.

4. The Unique Architecture of the Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House was designed in the modern Expressionist style, with its roof comprising concrete shells. The Opera House sits on a 1.8-hectare site, measuring 183 meters long and 120 meters wide, and is supported by 580 concrete pillars driven 25 meters below sea level.

The roof is covered with 1,056,000 Swedish-made self-cleaning tiles. It was meticulously designed to allow sea breezes to flow inside, creating a comfortable and airy environment for enjoying the arts. The highest point of the roof is 67 meters above sea level, equivalent to a 22-story building.

The Opera House’s interior is constructed entirely from pink granite, plywood, and other high-quality woods from New South Wales. The venue has 1,000 rooms, 5 performance halls, 2 main foyers, 4 restaurants, and 6 bars. Each shell-shaped dome houses a dedicated space for a specific art form. The two largest shells contain the concert hall and opera theatre, while the remaining shells contain other theatres with the following seating capacities:

Concert Hall: Seating capacity of 2,679. This is where the world’s largest pipe organ is located.
Opera Theater: Seating capacity of 1,507. This is the main performance venue for Opera Australia.
Drama Theater: Seating capacity of 544.
Playhouse: Seating capacity of 398.
Studio: Seating capacity of 364.

In addition to art performances, the Opera House also hosts weddings, conferences, and many other important events.

Each shell-shaped dome is a dedicated space for a particular art form.

5. Discover the Attractions of the Sydney Opera House

5.1 Experience World-Class Art Performances

Despite its name, opera performances account for only about 15% of the shows at the Sydney Opera House. So even if you’re not a fan of opera, there are plenty of other genres to enjoy, such as ballet, drama, indie rock, pop music, dance, and more. You can check ticket prices and performance schedules on the official Opera House website.

5.2 Explore the Stories Behind the Scenes

Beyond the shows themselves, the techniques, effects, and behind-the-scenes stories always intrigue and fascinate audiences. That’s why you should book a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House. The tour starts at 7:00 AM and lasts about two hours, taking you to explore many of the spectacular rooms behind the stage.

5.3 Check-in Outdoors and Watch the Sunset at the Opera House

It would be a real waste to come here without checking in with the stunning architecture of the Opera House. You can take photos in front of the Opera House, from Sydney Harbour, or even visit “Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.” The Harbour Bridge and cityscape provide a magnificent backdrop for dazzling photos with this World Heritage site.

Moreover, the Sydney Opera House is a fantastic spot to watch the Australian sunset. As the sun begins to set, the tiles of the Opera House turn a brilliant orange-yellow or mystical pink-purple, creating a breathtaking and vibrant sunset scene.

See more: Discover Sydney’s weather – When is the best time to visit?

The Sydney Opera House is truly a fantastic spot to watch the Australian sunset.

5.4 Enjoy Panoramic City Views on a Cruise to the Opera House

Arriving at the Opera House by cruise is another exciting activity you shouldn't miss. By boarding a cruise, you can admire all the famous landmarks along Sydney Harbour, such as the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanic Garden, and more.

5.5 Experience the Brilliant Colors of the Vivid Sydney Light Festival

If you want to see the Sydney Opera House lit up at night, you can't miss the Vivid Sydney light festival. This is the city’s most unique light event, lasting up to 23 days each year. You’ll be immersed in a vibrant atmosphere of music combined with spectacular and magical lighting effects, making for an unforgettable experience.

6. Tips for Visiting the Sydney Opera House

To make the most of your visit to the Sydney Opera House, keep in mind the following:

Apply for your Australian visa 1–2 months in advance for the best preparation. If this is your first time visiting Australia, you need to apply for the Australian Visitor Visa 600 (also known as Subclass 600 or Visitor visa).
Ticket prices for visiting the Opera House are as follows:

Adults: 37 AUD/person (about 625,000 VND/person)

Children: 20 AUD/person (about 337,000 VND/person)

Backstage tour: 165 AUD/person (about 2,785,000 VND/person), lasting about 2 hours and ending with a breakfast
You are not allowed to bring luggage or suitcases when visiting the Opera House.
The Opera House is fully equipped with restrooms, changing rooms, and ATMs.
You can also visit other famous attractions near the Opera House, such as Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye observatory, and more.

See more: Procedures and tips for applying for an Australian tourist visa independently.

Hopefully, this article has provided you with useful information about the Sydney Opera House. Currently, Vietjet operates many flights to Australia at surprisingly affordable prices. You can also look forward to the 0 VND ticket promotion for international flights every Friday HERE.

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