One of the most iconic structures in the world, the Sydney Opera House is a certifiable icon. The white, sail-shaped shells on the roof of the Sydney Opera House is what makes the building so unique. One of the most photographed buildings in the world, the Sydney Opera House is breathtaking on the outside but that doesn't hold a candle to the wonders it houses inside. With six different theatres, each unique in its own way, there's a lot to see and do both in and around the opera house. In 2007, the Sydney Opera House was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The idea for the Sydney Opera House was conceived by Eugene Goossens, the Director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, sometime in the 1940s. Post an extensive design competition, Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, was declared the winner in 1957 and undertook the mammoth task of designing the opera house. After Utzon's departure from the project due to creative differences and other roadblocks, construction officially completed in 1973, 10 years after the projected year of completion. Boasting a contemporary expressionist style, the Sydney Opera House features massive concrete shells that form the roof of the building. Apart from the shells and the glass curtain walls of the foyer, the exterior of the opera house comprises of panels created from pink granite. The interiors are decked with off-form concrete, brush box glulam, and Australian white birch plywood.
Some of the prominent performances that have graced the epic stages of the Sydney Opera House include Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace, opera singer Joan Sutherland's first performance, a concert by Irish rock stars Thin Lizzy, Doll Trilogy by Ray Lawler, a speech by Pope John Paul II in 1987, Nelson Mandela's address in 1990, Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, Pulitzer winning play Proof, a performance by Michael Buble in 2004, Oprah Winfrey's Ultimate Australian Adventure, the first VIVID live music program curated by Brian Eno in 2008. If you're planning on watching a show at the Sydney Opera House, our seating plan has all the information you would need.
Venue Details: Theatres inside Sydney Opera House
Theatre Seating Charts
Joan Sutherland Theatre
Named in honor of the famed Australian soprano, Dame Joan Sutherland, the Jane Sutherland Theatre is the second largest performance venue in the Sydney Opera House. Featuring a beautiful proscenium arch and an orchestra pit that can fit up to 70 musicians, this isn't your average theatre. Also, unlike other theatres where the stage scenery is moved from the sides of the stage, the scenery is elevated to the stage by two large lifts in the Joan Sutherland Theatre. The venue is home to year-round performances from The Australian Ballet and Resident Companies Opera Australia and hosts a variety of musicals, comedy shows, modern music performances and talks.
Total Capacity: The Joan Sutherland Theatre has 1,507 seats in total.
Best Seats in the Theatre: Opt for the middle seats in rows D to H of the stalls section if you're looking for a great view of the stage. The middle seats of the first two rows of the circle section are also considered premium since they are not obstructed and offer a clean view of the stage.
Best Value for Money Seats: If you don't wish to overspend on tickets, opt for the value-for-money seats located in the corner of the middle rows in the stalls. The middle row seats of the circle are also great since the view offered is pretty decent for the price that is charged for them.
Concert Hall
Described by famed singer songwriter Ben Harper as the greatest indoor performing space on Earth, the Concert Hall is the highlight of the Sydney Opera House. The largest venue inside the opera house, the Concert Hall is home to the largest mechanical tracker-action pipe organ with over 1000 pipes! The insides of the Concert Hall feature a high vaulted ceiling and walls that are decked with white birch timber panelling. The massive venue is famous for hosting majestic orchestral performances and has recently started hosting contemporary music gigs as well. What's special about the Concert Hall is the fact that despite being huge, it feels intimate even with full capacity.
Total Capacity: The Concert Hall has a total seat count of 2,679.
Best Seats in the Theatre: If you're watching a concert, all the seats are decent since the sound engineering inside the venue is impeccable. On the other hand, if you're watching a musical or play, we would recommend seats in the middle of the stalls, preferably after row J. The front row of the circle section is also a great choice if you want a spectacular view of the stage.
Best Value for Money Seats: The middle row seats in the first circle section offer great value-for-money as the view is distinct and the tickets cost much lower than premium seats. Again, if you're watching a concert, you can sit in any of the box seats, since they are generally cheaper and the sound quality is still great.
Drama Theatre
The second theatre in the Sydney Opera House to feature a proscenium arch, the Drama Theatre is much smaller than the Joan Sutherland Theatre. Hosting intimate productions from Bell Shakespeare, Bamgarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company, the Drama Theatre is true to its name in every sense. Apart from performances, the theatre also hosts debates and discussions for the All About Women festival and The Festival of Dangerous Ideas, twice a year. Mel Gibson, Geoffrey Rush, Toni Collette, John Cleese are just some of the iconic artists who have graced the stage of Drama Theatre.
Total Capacity: The Drama Theatre can accommodate up to 544 guests.
Best Seats in the Theatre: Given the small size of the theatre, there is only one seating section available. The front few rows offer a spectacular view of the stage, although, the middle and rear seats aren't all that bad either.
Best Value for Money Seats: From a price point, the middle and rear seats of the stalls section can be considered value for money. These seats are cheaper than the front row seats and offer pretty much the same view.
Playhouse
While the remaining five venues in the Sydney Opera House are for adults, the playhouse, like the name suggests, can become a breeding ground for young performers. The theatre is tinier than the Drama Theatre and hosts productions targeted at a younger audience, along with dance and experimental theatrical performances. While the Playhouse was originally intended to function as an orchestra recital chamber, it was later modified to become a relaxed performance arts space.
Total Capacity: The Playhouse can host up to 398 patrons at a given time.
Best Seats in the Theatre: The Playhouse is also a tiny theatre and the view offered from most seats remains pretty much the same. Still, if you want the absolute best seats in the house, opt for seats 10 to 16 in rows B to E for a great, direct view of the stage.
Best Value for Money Seats: Given that the Playhouse only houses 398 seats, the price difference between seats isn't all that much. If you're looking for the cheapest seats in the house, opt for the middle seats in the rear rows. These seats offer the same unobstructed view of the stage as the premium seats, with the only difference being their distance from the stage.
How to buy tickets for Sydney Opera House Shows?
While the option of going to the venue to purchase tickets for Sydney Opera House is available, it's not the most convenient or efficient one. The Sydney Opera House is a bonafide superstar attraction and witnesses massive crowds, which means long queues and waiting times. Buy your Sydney Opera House tickets online to get the best deals. Not only is buying tickets online super easy but you can avail some great cashback offers as well. Apart from the reasons listed above, booking Sydney Opera House tickets online also gives you the opportunity to pick a seat of your choice, which isn't always the case with purchasing tickets directly.
How Far in Advance Should You Book Sydney Opera House Show Tickets?
Sydney is the biggest city in Australia and also attracts a huge number of tourists round the year as well. The Sydney Opera House makes for a very popular form of entertainment in the city and sees massive footfalls on a daily basis, both from locals and tourists. While there are 6 performance venues and a multitude of performances playing concurrently at the opera house, it's best not to wait till the last moment to book your tickets. Most shows sell out within days of the tickets being released online and you wouldn't want to miss out on a show you're keen on viewing just because the tickets are sold out. Book your tickets as soon as they are available online after consulting the ticketing calendar which is available months in advance.
How to Buy Discounted Tickets to Sydney Opera House Shows
If you're looking to get Sydney Opera House tickets for a discount, Headout, an online concierge for experiences across the globe, should be your first choice. The great thing about booking your tickets from Headout, apart from the great deals and discounts, is the ease of use the site allows for. A few simple clicks is all you need to book tickets for any performance in the Sydney Opera House. Book the best seats at the best price at Headout and have a wonderful experience at the Sydney Opera House. Also, on top of the already discounted prices, Headout offers a bunch of cashback offers that'll help you save even more. If you happen to run into any trouble during the booking process, the 24/7 customer support will come to your rescue.
Practical Information
Accessibility:The Concert Hall can be accessed via a staff-operated lift from the box office foyer to southern foyer and stall door 4, 5, 11, and 12. There is an escalator available from the box office to the southern foyer as well. The John Sutherland Theatre can be reached via a staff-operated lift from the box office foyer to southern foyer and stall doors 21 and 26. There's a public lift from the lower concourse to the box office as well. On the Western Theatre (Playhouse and Drama Theatre) side of things, access is available through the Western Foyers. The Playhouse can be accessed via a platform stair lift. Finally, the Utzon Room can be reached via a platform lift on the entrance (level 1).
Restrooms: Accessible toilets are available in the Western Theatres Foyer and Box Office Foyer.
Restaurants: There are tons of great restaurants available inside the Sydney Opera House. Our top picks would be Bennelong and Portside Sydney.
Bars: The Sydney Opera House is equipped with bars inside the many theatres it houses to ensure that patrons don't have to step out if they want a quick bite or something to drink during the show. The Joan Sutherland Theatre and Concert Hall Theatre Bars are open 90 minutes before the show and during the intermission. There's a bar at the Western Foyer Theatre which is open pre-theatre as well.
Getting There
Given just how iconic the Sydney Opera House is, you bet there are tons of public transport options available to help you reach the venue. Here are some of the more popular options:
Train
The closest train station from the Sydney Opera House is Circular Quay. All you need to do is take a train to Circular Quay and head to the Sydney Opera House, which is just a short walk away. If you're unable to reach Circular Quay, you can also get off at the City Circle and walk to the venue from there.
Bus
If you wish to take the bus to Sydney Opera House, here are some of the buses plying close to the area: 400, L94, 333, B1, 490, M52, 370, 392, 422, and 423. There are free buses available from Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House as well.
Taxi
Another popular option is to take a water taxi and explore the iconic harbours of Sydney on the way. The great thing about taking a water taxi is that they'll drop you directly at the Opera House.
Restaurants Near The Sydney Opera House
- Bennelong Restaurant and Bar: Described as the holy grail of Australian restaurants by the New York Times, this eatery features cathedral-esque interiors and serves quality local delights.
- Aria Restaurant: Gorge on modern Australian haute cuisine in this classy, glass-walled dining room presented by Chef Matt Moran.
- Sydney Cove Oyster Bar: Visit this for sophisticated Asian and European seafood which is served in a relaxed setting, overlooking calming blue waters.
- Searock Grill: Sample delectable Australian seafood and steak at this casual diner with a modern menu and plenty of outdoor seating.
- Buckley's Sydney: Visit this contemporary bar and restaurant for delectable gourmet burgers and eccentric share plates.
Handy Tips
- If you're visiting Australia for the first time and want to explore the Sydney Opera House as a landmark, apart from watching a performance there, you can do that through the Main Opera House Tour. There are other tours of the Opera House available as well, including the Backstage Tour and tours in different languages. Kids can also enjoy the Junior Adventure while the parents watch a show.
- Make use of the free shuttle service from Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House. The bus service is managed by the Sydney Opera House and you can be assured of great service.
- Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the Royal Botanical Garden is generally considered the best site to get photographed at the Sydney Opera House. Make your way to the iconic spot before or after your show.
- The Sydney Opera House is a big venue with different theatres housed inside. If you're visiting it for the first time, ensure that you reach at least 30 minutes before the show begins. This will give you enough time to find your way inside and also, to keep any luggage in the cloakroom.
- Book your tickets online and well in advance, especially if you're interested in watching a popular show. Tickets generally sell out pretty fast and you'll be left with bad seats if you wait for the last moment to get your tickets.
