Things to do in Sydney

Sydney Opera House seating plan | Best seats & views at the best prices

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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

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.