Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
Discover insider secrets and stories of the Opera House artists and performances, and step inside the iconic theatres and foyers that bring to life over 1800 performances each year. Explore the building with our knowledgeable guides, and learn about how Jørn Utzon’s vision came into existence against impossible odds.
Please note that as we are a busy performing arts centre, venues and theatres are subject to availability at the time of your tour.
Option: Tour & Dine at Opera Bar, House Canteen or Midden by Mark Olive:
Make the most of a day out at the Opera House by going on our 1-hour tour followed by a lunch or an early dinner at your choice of harbourside restaurants. Redeem your ticket at Opera Bar or House Canteen between 11.30am - 6pm, or Midden by Mark Olive between 11.30am-2.30pm, or 5-6pm
Option: Language Tour and Language Tour & Meal + Drink options.
Choose French, German, or Spanish Tour, to experience the tour with one of our language-speaking guides.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note the standard guided tour contains approx. 300 stairs - Low Impact. If you have limited mobility there are daily mobility access tours available on request pre-booking is required please contact the supplier directly.
Tours do not operate Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, or New Year's Day before 1pm, subject to change
Tour + Main Meal & Drink: Redeem your ticket stub at either of our harbourside dining venues on day of your tour booking. Includes main meal and a beverage from a selection.
One Hour Tour including Tour & Dine please check in at the Welcome Centre on the lower concourse level ten minutes prior to your tour time
Redeem tour & dine at House Canteen or Opera Bar between 11.30am-6pm on the day of the tour.
Redeem tour & dine at Midden by Mark Olive between 11.30am-2.30pm, or 5-6pm on the day of the tour.
Please check you have selected the correct language tour for the tour you want to experience the language in
Venue access is subject to availability at the time of your tour and can change up until tour departure time.
Infants under 5 are permitted on the 1 hour tour free of charge, however still require a ticket to be booked
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local guide
No Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Sydney Opera House
Your tour of the Sydney Opera House allows you to step beneath the sails of one of the world’s most iconic performance venues, where more than 1,800 concerts, plays, musicals and ballets are staged every year. Explore it with an insider guide, who shares stories and fun facts about the opera house’s history, performances and architecture throughout your 1-hour tour. Walk through the elegant foyers, visit one of the largest pillar-free chambers in the world, sit down in a custom-made white birch chair and look up at the vaulted ceiling. Check out areas that are off-limits to the general public, learn about the distinctive exterior design made up of ‘shell’ tiles, and hear about opera house’s Danish architect, including his inspiration and building challenges.
Options
German Tour + Meal & Drink
German Speakers Only: One Hour guided tour with German-speaking guide plus main meal and beverage from a selection at Opera Bar or House Canteen
French Guided Tour
French Speakers Only: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a French Speaking Tour Guide (not in English)
Architectural Tour
A 75-minute tour experience aimed at those who are interested in finding out more about the way the Opera House was built.
English Guided Tour
English Fluency Required: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a English Speaking Tour Guide
Spanish Guided Tour
Spanish Speakers Only: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a Spanish Speaking Tour Guide (not in English)
French Tour & Meal + Drink
French Speakers Only: One Hour guided tour with French-speaking guide plus main meal and beverage from a selection at Opera Bar or House Canteen
Tour + Main Meal & Drink
English Fluency Required: Enjoy our one hour tour followed by a main meal and beverage, from a selection, at either Opera Bar or House Canteen
German Guided Tour
German Speakers Only: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a German Speaking Tour Guide (not in English)
Spanish Tour & Meal + Drink
Spanish Speakers Only: One Hour guided tour with Spanish-speaking guide plus main meal and beverage from a selection at Opera Bar or House Canteen
Reviews
3,519 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
5 star Sydney Opera House tour
Karen L,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The 1 hour guided Opera House tour is a must-do experience when in Sydney. Our guide’s name was Julia and she has been giving tours for more than 10 years - she is a wealth of information! We really enjoyed hearing about the design and construction along with visiting multiple concert halls.
Must see!
Greet G,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was realy worth it! The story and the places inside was beautyful. The inside was totaly different from the outside!
Excellent and attentive guides
monique d,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent and attentive guide, when introducing herself and the experience to come, noticed my wife’s bandaged ankle and telling us of the 200 to 300 steps involved in the tour, quickly arranged for us to join a concurrent tour for similarly disadvantaged people. This amounted to a private tour with a visit backstage ( not on the normal route, but necessary to avoid the stairs.) Laura, our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the building and its history, design and construction. Indeed her exuberance was so infectious that we booked to see a production the next evening!
It’s a lovely walking...
Tracy F,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s a lovely walking tour filled with fascinating stories and history our guide made it come alive in his description and dialogue.
It’s much more than an Opera House.
William P,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00There are many steps to climb, but they are spaced throughout the tour and so they are entirely doable. The history of the structure, related to the parts of the building we were viewing made the presentation most interesting. Our guide’s intimate knowledge of the, behind the scenes production of shows and performances was really appreciated.
Memories of a lifetime!
robjer79,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We enjoyed the tour and they offered a discounted ticket for a play. In turn, we totally enjoyed both and have memories that will last a lifetime!
A Must-See Icon of Sydney
Svetlana M,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00An amazing experience! The Sydney Opera House tour was both fascinating and informative. Our guide shared intriguing stories and showed hidden corners of the building that you rarely get to see. The architecture is breathtaking, and the acoustics in the halls are mesmerizing. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to feel the magic of this iconic landmark and learn its history firsthand!
Excellent tour
Anthony B,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Amanda, gave a master class on how to conduct a tour. Throughout the tour she provided clear explanations on what to expect as we made our way and provided informative and insightful commentary at each point of interest. A very interesting and enjoyable tour. There are many stairs to go up and down.
Really good tour!
Cara S,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour! Got to see the inside of the Opera House. We learned how it was built and how long it took to build it. Very educational and such a beautiful building.
The opera house - just fantastic
13ferie,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Finally able to see the Sydney opera with our own eyes! We went on a guided tour through the opera and really got to see what a spectacular piece of art it is, both inside and outside. If you have a chance- go see it!
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