Seeing The Opera House - Tours and Packages
If you're not content with gazing at the outside - much the building's best feature - and can't attend a performance, there are guided tours available: the Front-of-House tour gives an overview of the site, looking at the public areas and discussing the unique architecture (daily 8.30am-5pm, every 30-40min; 45min; $14.70). Backstage tours run less frequently, about once or twice a week, and include access to the scenery docks, rehearsal rooms and technical areas (1hr 30min; $24; bookings on tel 9250 7250). It's only on these tours that you can see the small exhibition area in the foyer of The Playhouse where two original Utzon models of the Opera House are displayed, alongside a series of small oil paintings depicting the life of Bennelong , the Iora tribesman who was initially kidnapped as little more than an Aboriginal "specimen" but later became a much-loved addition to Governor Arthur Phillip's household; Phillip later built a hut for him on what is now the site of the Opera House. History buffs who would like to learn more can go on Bennelong Point history tours, offered by arrangement on the booking number above. The best way to appreciate the Opera House, of course, is to attend an evening performance : the building is particularly stunning when floodlit and, once you're inside, the huge windows come into their own as the dark harbour waters reflect a shimmering image of the night-time city - interval drinks certainly aren't like this anywhere else in the world. Packages which include tours, meals, drinks and performances can be purchased on-site or over the phone or internet (tel 9250 7250, www.soh.nsw.gov.au ), and can be good value.
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