Sydney Opera House – An Iconic Australian Attraction

The gleaming white shells of the Sydney Opera House strike a strong contrast with the azure blue waters of Sydney Harbor, giving the whole thing a somewhat futuristic appearance or, perhaps, alien would be a better term, like a relic from a lost era. This unusually constructed theatre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an iconic destination in Australia, one that has become popular the world over. 

The Sydney Opera House first opened its doors in 1973 and has since become one of the world’s most famous live entertainment venues. It has six theatres that can accommodate 5,800 people and perform over 2000 shows per year. Every year, over 8.2 million people visit the Sydney Opera House to marvel at its magnificent architecture.

The roofs of the Sydney Opera House are shaped like billowing sails or huge shells, and they blend in beautifully with the building’s waterfront location. It is surrounded on three sides by the gleaming harbour, and it is bordered to the south by the palm-studded Royal Botanical Gardens.

Studio spaces, a concert hall, rehearsal rooms, reception rooms, theatres, a restaurant, and a spectacular open-air forecourt with views of the city and harbour are all part of the structure.

This iconic structure, however, has a tumultuous history. The Australian government held an international competition for a cultural centre at Bennelong Point in 1957 and Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, won the competition. However, the project sparked a lot of debate. There were numerous technical issues, construction was delayed, and construction costs increased. The architect eventually withdrew from the project and left the country in 1966, disappointed by the whole ordeal. The cost of completion had increased tenfold over the initial estimate and a series of auctions and lotteries were held at the Opera House to raise the funds. The building was finally inaugurated by the Queen on the 20th of October, 1973. 

The best way to get to intricately learn about the Sydney Opera House is to take the Sydney Opera tour which allows you to explore the structure while learning its great history and about all the personalities who have performed there over the years.