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
Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Easy walk from Circular Quay Train Station Sydney Australia
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
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
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
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
German Guided Tour
German Speakers Only: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a German Speaking Tour Guide (not in English)
English Guided Tour
English Fluency Required: 1 Hour Guided Tour with a English Speaking Tour Guide
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
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.
Reviews
3,614 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent experience
Richard K,
Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a fantastic architectural accomplishment The guide was so knowledgeable and positive. He was also friendly with a great sense of humor
Lot of stairs. Good...
Brenda H,
Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Lot of stairs. Good history. It was a good tour and the video about architecture was excellent. Highly recommend.
Worthwhile doing and as...
Les J,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Worthwhile doing and as Australians it's a worthwhile bonus to know about our own special buildings.
Highly recommend very cool
Magdalene J,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was great we loved it. We thought it was interesting and the tour guide was great. Highly recommend to anyone.
Guide was well informed &...
Nicholas C,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Guide was well informed & passed along relevant information. Tour visited both major venues (Concert Hall & Joan Sutherland Theatre)
Don’t miss this!
Inspire0722,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome tour! Maeve was a great guide and gave us lots of information on the history of the opera house. Definitely worth your time and money!
Sydney Opera House tour December 2025.
Steve C,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The whole venue is stunning and you get to see all of it. There's a detailed account of it's history, from conception through build, completion and opening in 1973. This includes the political machinations and interference that were overcome. There's a summary too of the sites significance as a meeting point going back thousands of years.
Wonderful tour, great info
Debra R,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great info on construction of the Opera House. See several different theaters. One of a lifetime tour
You’ll regret it if you don’t visit.
Richard H,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Sydney harbour is one of the wonders of the world without a doubt. The opera house stands tall and the walking tour brought it to life. Previously we’ve been to an hours opera concert in the Joan Sutherland hall both are a must.
Great Experience & Standard!
lesia582021,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our Guide Female was very friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoyed our Tour and especially pleased to have great audio headsets nice and clear with good volume.
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