Bennalong point in Sydney was named after an aboriginal who Governor Arthur Phillp took a liking too (way back in 1789). He bought the poor man back to London where Bennalong was just totally bewildered with London so returned to Australia, where he found he now belonged to neither the European ... Read review
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Advantages: A wonder of the modern world Disadvantages: Australia is kind of far from London..
Bennalong point in Sydney was named after an aboriginal who Governor Arthur Phillp took a liking too (way back in 1789). He bought the poor man back to London where Bennalong was just totally bewildered with London so returned to Australia, where he found he now belonged to neither the European or Aboriginal world. The point was named after Bennalong as Arthur Phillip built him a hut there.
How to get there:
Bennalong Point ... ...with a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There is a courtesy bus for less able visitors who are attending performances leaving from Circular Bay bus stand. Fares in Sydney for Bus/Rail and Ferry are all based from your departure point. Buses range from $1.20 to $4.60 and a ferry is $3.20-$5.20 (adult fares).
As a child growing up outside of Sydney I used to always think it was the biggest city in the ... more
Bennalong point in Sydney was named after an aboriginal who Governor Arthur Phillp took a liking too (way back in 1789). He bought the poor man back to London where Bennalong was just totally bewildered with London so returned to Australia, where he found he now belonged to neither the European or Aboriginal world. The point was named after Bennalong as Arthur Phillip built him a hut there.
How to get there: Bennalong Point is located on Sydney Harbour near Circular Quay, it is home to Sydney's rather famous Opera House. A short walk from the ferry terminal at Circular Quay, or the train station or the bus stops also at Circular Quay the Opera House boasts five theatres, five rehearsal studios, at least four restaurants and six bars. A fantastic spot with a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There is a courtesy bus for less able visitors who are attending performances leaving from Circular Bay bus stand. Fares in Sydney for Bus/Rail and Ferry are all based from your departure point. Buses range from $1.20 to $4.60 and a ferry is $3.20-$5.20 (adult fares).
As a child growing up outside of Sydney I used to always think it was the biggest city in the world. Years and much travel later comes the realisation that Sydney is actually quite small. If you are staying in the city, anywhere, it's an easy walk to the Opera House.
What do you do? (aside from take a photo) There are five theatres inside which are the Concert Hall which seats 2679, the Opera Theatre, 1547 seats, the Drama Theatre 544 seats, the Playhouse 398 seats and the Studio Theatre being the smallest with 364 seats.
The Sydney Symphony, Sydney Theatre Company and the Australian Ballet are among those who perform here. Performances include Opera, Plays, Orchestra, Dance and Pantomime, basically anything goes.. Running at the moment (among many other choices) is The Pirates of Penanze, Drill (dance), the Damnation of Faust and performances of Shakespeare and Beethoven.
You can take a tour of the inside of the Opera House. Standard tour is $23 for Adults $16 consession which takes an hour. Backstage tours are a bit more pricey at $140. You can also book private tours (available with a translator) or Group tours (maximum of 40).
Tours depart from the Guided Tour Office located in the SOH store on the lower concourse of the Sydney Opera House. The Backstage Tour departs from Stage Door.
There is an Opera Bar, Guillame at Bennalong (restaurant), Bistro Mozart, Sidewalk café.. and a few others. I have only ever eaten at the sidewalk café and in summer time its great, you can sit out and watch the tourists go by and snack on a sandwich, pie or sushi (as well as other menu choices) Its open 7 days from 8am.
There is also a Sydney Opera House store which sells things like Gemstones and souvineers. Located in the Box Office Foyer and on the Lower Concourse.
Summertime an open air bar opens on the front of the Opera House, a windy spot right on the Harbour but a stunning view. Free open air movies are sometimes screened on the front steps (check the papers to see if anything is going on such as the Sydney Morning Herald).
A little bit of History: In 1954 the then Premier of NSW, Joe Cahill, answering a call for a new theatre for Sydney, as the current one (the Town Hall) was simply not big enough, organised a contest to design the new theatre.
233 entries were received and the winner was a Dane, Jorn Utzon. Utzon arrived in Sydney in 1957 and construction on the Opera House began. Well known in Australia is that part way through the building the Government changed over and refused Utzon permission to construct plywood protypes for the interior. The new Government also reduced Utzons role to design architect and stopped paying his fees Utzon (understandably) wouldn't stand for this and left the project and Australia. Governments since have apologised to Urtzon but he has never seen his amazing design completed.
Depending on who you ask the Opera House is inspired by either orange peels or sailboats. Sailboats being the romantic choice, but orange peels are apparently the truthfull choice.
After Urtzon departed Australia small changes were made to his design, such as different paving was chosen and the Opera House was finally finished in 1973, at a huge cost of $102 million. The original estimate in 1957 was $7 million and completion in 1963. The majority of the building was paid for by funds from the Australian Lottery.
The Opera House was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on October 20, 1973. The opening was televised and included fireworks and a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
The roofs of the House are constructed of 1,056,000 glazed white granite tiles, imported from Sweden. Despite their self-cleaning nature, they are still subject to periodic maintenance and replacement. The House interior is composed of pink granite mined from Tarana, NSW and wood and brush box plywood supplied from northern NSW. The theatres are housed in a series of large shells, originally modelled by dissecting a globe. The Concert Hall and Opera Theatre are contained in the largest shells, and the other theatres are located on the sides of the shells.
Fun things: 1997 found Alain Robert in bare feet climbing the Opera House with no safety devices. In 2000 it was included in the Olympic Torch rally and Sam Riley (an Olympic Swimmer) stood on the top with the torch. The winning performance by Australian Pop Idol (Casey) was also at the Opera House.
Contacts: Tours: +61 2 9250 7250 Sidewalk Café +61 2 9247 0481 Information on any of the restaurants: +619250 7111. Sydney Public Transport 131 500
Really getting there: STA Travel has a deal at the moment for £670 for a flight to Australia. Phone them on 0870 1600 599.
Advantages: It is a wonder of the World Disadvantages: Not Applicable
The Sydney Opera House, is an absolutely fantastic spectacle of the southern hemisphere and really just outlines how great Australia is. The Sydney opera house with its distinctive sculptural shells, must be one of the architectural masterpieces of the modern era. Every year, around 4.5 million tourists come to see it which istwice the number that visit the White House. It is the result of an international design contest won by Danish architect Joern ... ...have photographed them, too: the Sydney Opera House is one of the most happy-snapped structures on earth. Performances The Opera House is more than an empty shell: what happens inside is as inspired as the structure itself. With around 2,600 shows per year, it's one of the world's busiest arts venues. Over 45 million bums have sat on Opera House seats for 100,000-plus performances of ballet, opera, ensemble and orchestral music. The Opera House contains ...
ekwiz 01.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sydney Opera House
Advantages: Wasn't expensive Disadvantages: Hour tour wasn't long enough
'''SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE'''
Sydney Opera house is located on the eastern headland of Circular Quay just a few minutes from the train station. It is made up of 1,056,000 Swedish tiles on the roof, which are off white and are self-cleaning. Construction began in 1959 after a Danish architect Jorn Utzon won an international design competition for the $7 million building. In 1966 Utzon quit after political interference leaving Australian architects to ... ...When I was in Sydney I did a tour of the inside of the Opera House and I felt it was worthwhile as I had went the whole way to Australia I thought it would be a shame to not see the inside. The tour lasted and hour and gave you some history on the building. Short films were played on the walls of the Opera House telling you its story. You got to see inside some of the theatres where shows to suit everyone's taste and age are performed. Shows from ...
DeniseKelly40 24.09.2007 (23.04.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sydney Opera House
Advantages: If you've not been there you've not been to Australia Disadvantages: Every other tourist in Australia is there
Sydney opera house is a wonder of the modern world. It was built in 1973, cost over $100 millian Austrailian dollars and was paid for in 18months by the the 'Lotto' obsessed australian public. Walking tours take about 30 minutes, you need to be able to climb steps and it costs about £5 to £10. The tours are very interesting and sitting in a couple of the theatres is amazing. You also get amazing views of sydney harbour. Just after the shell was built ... ...recently would have nothing to do with the opera house. The interior is built independant of its famous exterior and they are now in the middle of renovations to complete it as it should have been now that the orignial architect is back working with them. It a pretty amazing building to say the least.
When I was out in Oz about 8 years ago as a backpacker I was lucky to get a standby ticket to an opera at the house and this is well worth it and ...
ciaowales 24.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Sydney Opera House
Going to sydney and not seeing the opera house should be made a crime. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It may not be tall or really really big but the design and the construction carry an aura of wonder with it. The best way to get your first glimpse of the opera house is to hop on a ferry that takes you under the bridge right round into the harbour next to the opera house. It is spectacular.
Also doing the harbour bridge ... ...the building in all its majesty. Although its a long way up to the top of the bridge!
The tour is interesting in respect of the internal designs incorporating quite a few auditoriums in obsure places throughout the building.
A behind the scenes tour is available although there is a minimum age limit. ...
RockDude 24.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Sydney Opera House
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