The Backstage Tour
Fridays - Mondays
Stage door | Tour
Sweep back the curtains and explore behind the scenes with an intimate small-group Backstage Tour. Breakfast in the exclusive domain of our performers, journey through rehearsal spaces not open to the public, and be tantalised with insider secrets from our expert guides.
Tours run on Fridays - Mondays at 7am*
Bookings are essential. Please ensure you book your tour no later then 5pm AEDT/AEST the day prior to departure.
*The tour departs at 7am on Friday - Monday. Tours are subject to availability.
We ask guests to please arrive at Stage Door at 6.45am (15 minutes prior to departure time) to check in with your Tour Guide and cloak your bags.
Please note the tour is not available on 10 September 2023, 22-23 October 2023, 25 December 2023, 31 December 2023, 1 January 2024 and 29 March 2024.
There is a maximum of 12 people per tour. If you would like to make a group booking or are unable to book online, please call 02 9250 7250 to place a reservation via our Reservations team.
Tickets from $175 per person.
This tour is available for adults, as well as children aged between 10 and 15 years who must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For safety reasons children under the age of 10 are not able to take part in the tour.
Tour in English
The Backstage Tour is currently only available in English.
If you wish to make a group booking of 8 or more guests in another language, please reach out to our Reservations team on 02 9250 7250 to make an enquiry.
Run time
Running time approximately two hours.
This this tour can take up to two and a half hours in duration, and is the time from when one of our guides meets guests from the Stage Door entrance, through to the end of the tour in the Green Room.
Closed in, rubber-soled shoes must be worn on this tour
For safety, flat, enclosed, rubber-soled shoes must be worn on this tour or patrons may be refused entry on the tour.
For those with a good level of fitness
On the Backstage Tour you will climb around 300 steps as you move throughout foyers and spaces. While there are railings and a number of rests throughout the tour when the guide shares our stories, you will not have the opportunity to sit for any long period of time during the tour until you reach House Canteen to enjoy your morning breakfast.
Please read the frequently asked questions section for more information.
What to know before you go
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during a performance and on a tour. Please bring your own mask.
We stage lots of live performances, so venues are subject to availability at the time of your tour.
You’ll be on your feet for a guided tour, there are over 300 stairs, so flat comfortable shoes are recommended. Your feet will thank you!
If you have mobility concerns, you may wish to take a Mobility Access Tour.
We can’t store suitcases or large bags, however you can contact the nearest storage facility at circularquay@baggagestorage.com.au
Videoing is not allowed.
There are plenty of photo opportunities. Your tour guide will advise you if photos are not to be taken at any point.
Green Room Breakfast Menu
Starter
Choose one from the following:
- Granola, berry compote, coconut yoghurt (vn, gf)
- Coconut lime & mango tapioca pudding (vn, gf)
- Butter croissant
- Almond croissant
Main
Choose one from the following:
- Smashed avocado on toast, pea sprouts & dukkah (vn, gfo)
- Croissant croque monsieur – shaved ham, gruyere, Dijon mustard & béchamel
- Green Room eggs benedict – poached egg, bacon, spinach, English muffin & chive hollandaise
Beverages
- English Breakfast tea
- Earl Grey tea
- Peppermint tea
- Green tea
- Coffee
Orange juice and water will be available throughout breakfast.
*Please note menu items are subject to change depending on seasonality and availability.
Sumo, TripadvisorThe tour was outstanding. It was worth the time to get up early for it… Amazing
What you see on stage is only half the story
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.
The opening act – start the day like a VIP
Arrive at Stage Door for this backstage experience, and join an intimate tour group to begin your exploration. Experience first-hand what it’s like to walk through Stage Door where thousands of actors, performers and famous names have walked before. Get ready to explore places usually off limits to the general public to find out how the magic of theatre happens.
The real story – as much drama backstage as on stage
Relish the opportunity to get a glimpse into the demanding, passionate, dramatic (and sometimes scandalous) world of our performers – as our guides recount the stories and insider secrets of what really happens behind the curtain.
The grand finale – the inner workings of a living House
From pulleys to props, sequins to sound-checks, we take you through nooks and crannies not known to the public. Discover what makes the Sydney Opera House both a world-renown icon and a world-class performance venue. Complete the experience with a delicious breakfast in the Green Room - the exclusive domain of our crew and performers.
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 their website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Frequently asked questions
The tour meeting point is at Stage Door which is located beneath the Monumental Steps.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time so you can clock any bags. For the Backstage Tour please arrive at 6.45am and for the Hidden House Tour please arrive at 7.15am.
Where possible, please do not bring any belongings with you on the tour, as cloaking facilities are extremely limited.
If you are going to be late for your tour please call our Reservations team on 02 9250 7250 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.
The Backstage Tour is a small group tour. If you wish to make a group booking of 8 or more guests, please reach out to our Reservations team on 02 9250 7250 to make an enquiry.
The Hidden House Tour is not available for group bookings.
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 Stage Door located beneath the Monumental Steps of 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 encourage you to wear a mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained, and please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Tourism Reservations team on 02 9250 7250.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice.
Yes. The Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during a performance and on a tour. Please bring your own mask.
Contact information is required when making a booking with us and upon arrival at the Opera House, as set out in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events and our Customer Privacy Statement.
As the ticket purchaser, you are responsible for recording the contact details of your guests. Contact information will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing, if required, and will be deleted at least 28 days after your event.
Please contact our Tourism Reservations team on 02 9250 7250 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend. If you can no longer attend because you are unwell, or have been in contact with someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you.
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