Schools Tour Term 1 - 4
Welcome Centre | Tour
Filled with stories that demonstrate the power of creativity, teachers and students will join one of our guides to learn how architect Jørn Utzon created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of 20th century architecture on the Sydney Opera House Schools Tour.
School tours are available for various dates in term 1 & 2, 10am - 2.30pm.
For tour bookings please contact tourism@sydneyoperahouse.com or phone us on +61 2 9250 7250.
For a tour and workshop or performance booking please contact creativelearning@sydneyoperahouse.com or phone us on +61 2 9250 7770.
Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
Student | $18 |
| Tour & creative learning workshop (primary only) | $28 |
Minimum 12 students per booking.
Teacher tickets are complimentary.
The only Authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Suitable for Years K - 12 (Stages ES1 - 6)
Capacity per tour is 12 students with 1 teacher per group. Multiple groups can be accommodated.
Run time
Running time ranges from 1 hour - 3.5 hours.
The tour times range depending on a tour, tour and show or tour and workshop.
Our tour guides will meet you at the Welcome Centre to begin the tour.
Curriculum alignment
Each Schools Tour is devised to align with the Australian National Curriuclum cross-cirricula priorties and general capabilities, in particular critical and creative thinking, ethical understanding, intercultural understanding, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture priority and Sustainability priorities.
The Schools Tour incorporates a creative learning approach to guiding students on a journey throughout the Opera House and includes performative activities, games and reflection questions.
Fun and interactive tour for school students
The Sydney Opera House Schools Tour takes students on a walking journey to learn about how Australia and a man from Denmark, Jørn Utzon, created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of twentieth-century architecture and the city of Sydney as we know it.
Uncover the history of this UNESCO world heritage site – from its beginnings as a First Nations meeting place for sharing stories and celebrating connection to culture and tradition, to Utzon’s competition winning design that almost didn’t get selected!
In this tour, students learn about:
The First Nations culture and histories embedded in the site of Bennelong Point
Jørn Utzon and the architects, engineers and builders he collaborated with to create the Sydney Opera House, including the Design Principles that guided his thinking and architectural practice,
The extraordinary range of performances, creatives and behind the scenes practitioners who have delivered and performed innovate works of art on the stages of the Opera House, and
How the Opera House supports future thinking and ideas through community and sustainability projects that improve social and environmental outcomes for the building, city and its visitors. Students can spend the day immersed in the stories, history and creativity of the Sydney Opera House when you pair a Schools Tour with one of our workshops or performances, for a full day out excursion.
Students can spend the day immersed in the stories, history and creativity of the Sydney Opera House when you pair a Schools Tour with one of our workshops or performances, for a full day out excursion.
Schools
In 2024 we bring you a curated range of performances, workshops, tours and experiences to both activate the curriculum in imaginative ways, and to provide high quality arts experiences to develop our young people’s capacity to connect with their peers through the power of creativity.
A Day Out at the House
Are you looking to extend your school excursion time onsite at Sydney Opera House?
For specific performances and workshops over the year we have combined a ‘performance/workshop’ with a walking tour of Sydney Opera House for a total 3-4 hour experience for your students at the House.
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.
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.
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.
Add to your excursion
A Day Out at the House
Arts Assist
Schools Tour
1 Apr 2023 – 31 Mar 2024
