Art at the House Tour
17 & 19 October 2023
Meet at the Welcome Centre | Tour
The rich cultural heritage and design legacy of the Opera House extends to the vibrant and modern art that adorns the interior of the House, as envisioned in Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s design. The Art at the House Tour will guide you to five artworks at the Opera House, discussing the history and inspiration behind each one.
| Date | Time |
| Tuesday 17th October 2023 | 9.15am 10.30am |
| Thursday 19th October 2023 | 9.15am 10.30am |
|
Ticket |
Price |
|
Adult |
$29 |
|
Concession* |
$26 |
* Concessions are available to holders of an Australian Seniors Card, Australian Pensioners, Full-time students aged 16+, Child 5 to 15 years of age.
Children under 5 years are free of charge. Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied at all times.
Tour in English
This tour operates in English only, however we welcome all visitors to experience the unique and inspiring collection of artwork on this wonderful experience.
Run time
Running time approximately 45 minutes.
A dedicated guide will meet guests at the Welcome Centre 15 minutes prior to the tour start time, and will guide the group through to five artworks in the Opera House, discussing the story and inspiration behind each masterpiece.
Works of modern art
The Opera House showcases art in all its forms, with the interiors designed and put together in a way that aspires to the promise of the building itself, a living sculpture on Sydney Harbour.
In this limited experience, the Art at the House Tour will take you to see Sydney Opera House tapestries Le Corbusier’s Les Dés sont Jetés or The Die Is Cast (1960), Jørn Utzon’s Homage to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (2004), and the rarely displayed Curtain of the Sun by John Coburn (1973). The tour will also highlight the mural Possum Dreaming (1988), a major piece by the late Warlpiri artist Nelson Tjakamarra and Judy Cassab's painting Dame Joan Sutherland (1976).
The Art at the House Tour takes you inside to immerse yourself in a world of wonder, creativity and learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Sydney Opera House.
Image right: Curtain of the Sun by artist John Coburn. Photographer: Jacquie Manning © Sydney Opera House Trust
Eat & drink
Bennelong Point has been a place for feasting and celebrating for millennia. So it's only natural that here at the Opera House, the entertainment jumps from the stage and onto the plate.
Other information
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Tourism Reservations team on 02 8188 3734.
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene. Please stay home if you feel unwell and read more about our flexible ticket options.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
If you need to discuss your ticketing options, please contact our Tourism Reservations team on 02 8188 3734.
Frequently asked questions
The tour meeting point is at the Welcome Centre located on the Lower Concourse of the Opera House.
It’s a great idea to arrive early, grab a drink and soak up the view. Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour to allow sufficient time to cloak any large bags.
This should allow enough time for the mandatory visual inspections and/or cloaking of bags and personal belongings by Opera House staff before starting your tour.
Where possible, please leave bags at home. If you bring a bag, those larger than A4 size will need to be cloaked before you can go on the tour. We're unable to store suitcases or large bags as we have limited cloaking facilities.
If you are going to be late for your tour please call our Reservations team on 02 8188 3734 for assistance.
Where possible, please do not bring bags to the Sydney Opera House. Bags larger than A4 size will need to be cloaked before you can go on the tour. However we can’t store suitcases or large bags as our cloaking facilities are extremely limited.
Cameras are allowed on the tour and there are plenty of photo opportunities throughout the entire tour. Your tour guide will advise you whilst on tour if photographs are not to be taken inside any venues. Please note there is no video filming on the tour.
Mobile phones are permitted on the tour however please ensure they are switched off or on silent for the duration of the tour.
You will have the opportunity to visit some of the Opera House’s many venues and theatres on this tour.
Please note that as we are a busy performing arts centre, venues and theatres are subject to availability at the time of your tour.
You can make a booking for up to 11 people though our maximum capacity per tour is 35 people. For capacity reasons the booking must be made by calling 02 8188 3734. Our Reservations team will assist with your reservation.
We encourage you to purchase your tour in advance online or via the phone where you’ll receive an eTicket. Please bring this with you and present it upon check-in at the Welcome Centre located on the Lower Concourse of the Opera House.
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