There are few tourist attractions more striking than the Sydney Opera House and this is a must-visit for anyone visiting Australia. The iconic venue is a breathtaking sight to behold and a true marvel of human creativity, so much so that it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 taking its place alongside amazing structures like the Taj Mahal and Great Wall of China. You can find more info about visiting Australia here.
A Fascinating History
The Sydney Opera House is the youngest cultural site to be included on the World Heritage List and is deemed to be a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture. It also has a fascinating history as it was incredibly close to never being built. It is the masterful design of Danish architect Jørn Utzon who sent his concept drawings to Sydney as part of an international design competition for an opera house on Sydney Harbour, but he only managed to get these drawings in as the competition closed.
American architect Eero Saarinen was one of four judges on the panel but he arrived late and after the preliminary judging. Being underwhelmed by the other 232 entries, Saarinen started looking through the reject pile and discovered Utzon’s now-iconic design and claimed it the winner.
Plenty to Explore
The Sydney Opera House is now one of the most recognized buildings in the entire world and a venue that has something for every type of visitor. You will, of course, want to get plenty of great photos from around the harbour and there are many beautiful areas to get good photographs and views, but no trip here is complete without visiting the interior which is just as impressive.
The Sydney Opera House is, obviously, a superb place to watch opera but there is much more to see and do here. The Opera House hosts all kinds of other live entertainment, there is a wide range of fantastic tours and experiences, it boasts a brilliant restaurant and bar with spectacular views over Sydney, a shop, fun and educational experiences for kids and much, much more.
Making the Most of Your Trip
To get the most out of your experience at the magnificent Sydney Opera House, and all of this fine city, you should always book your holiday through an experienced tour guide that specializes in Australian holidays who can offer tailor-made trips. This will help you to have the best possible experience and not miss out on any of the key attractions and even find some hidden gems.
The Sydney Opera House is a truly marvellous sight to behold and a worthy addition to the World Heritage List. It is an architectural masterpiece but there is much more to this iconic venue than this and no trip to Sydney is complete without spending a day exploring the inside and enjoying all that it has to offer.
