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 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.
What‘s Included
Local guide
No Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Meeting points
Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Easy walk from Circular Quay Train Station Sydney Australia
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Options
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
French Guided Tour
French Speakers Only: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a French Speaking Tour Guide (not in English)
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
English Guided Tour
English Guided Tour from April: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a English Speaking Tour Guide
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 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
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
German Guided Tour
German Speakers Only: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a German Speaking Tour Guide (not in English)
Spanish Guided Tour
Spanish Speakers Only: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a Spanish Speaking Tour Guide (not in English)
Reviews
3,649 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Memorable Experience
Nancy S,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Do not miss this tour. You think it is just a famous icon, but the story inside is not to be missed.
A must do
Sanya A,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative with backstage access to theatres and areas usually not available to patrons. Great lesson into a tumultuous history of the building and an amazing feat of the architect. An insight into the Australian politics at the time of the building. A must do.
Great tour for all
anitahenry,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly recommend! Were lucky enough to see ballet dancers warming up on our 1030 tour. Very informative.
An Architectural Wonder!
euanhusarmi,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00What a treat to not only be privileged enough to see Sydney Opera House from the outside but to spend an hour touring the building itself! A very interesting tour that explains how the centre went from an idea to a creation of architectural wonder and I enjoyed the hour very much. The reason I gave only 4 stars is, that for me, the group of 30+ people made the tour a little impersonal and robotic (even though our excellent guide did try not to just go through the motions). Personally, I prefer smaller groups where people feel comfortable asking questions and interacting with the guide but that's just me! I would still very much recommend it to anyone coming to Sydney.
Very informative. The...
Rajii Q,,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative. The guide was knowledgeable about all aspects of the opera house. She was personable and friendly.
Awesome tour of Sydney Opera House!
Kenneth M,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Monika was fantastic. She really made the experience interesting and fun. Everything was cool including standing outside on the balcony looking out across the harbour.
Tour guide experience
Bernita L,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Olivia, was superb. The WOW factor was throughly engaged. Well done tour and explanation
Fascinating
Caroline W,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Really interesting how/why/when built and story of people who were involved. Information on materials used etc. Nicolas our tour guide was really personable and had a really comfortable voice to listen to! Well worth the cost and the number of steps you have to walk up and down (approx 300)
Fascinating Experience
Nancy G,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The Sydney Opera House tour was fascinating! Our guide was very informative and interesting. We each had a had headset which allowed us to clearly hear our guide throughout the tour.
High note of our trip!
Jim K,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour provided insights into the Sydney Opera House I would have never known! Great experience to better understand the history and the unique aspects of the opera house.
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Operated by Sydney Opera House