Sydney Opera House ~ Travel Pictures Australia
Opera House Sails a Sydney Landmark
Sydney Opera House with its sails-like roof, is likely one of the most photographed Sydney Australia landmarks. It's just so gosh darn pretty! And dramatic! And unique! I bet you cannot take just a dozen photos: Stay in Sydney long enough, and you'll be edging closer to a hundred. Sydney Opera House looks different depending on the light, time of day, weather and one's vantage point. You cannot decide which is the best place to take its picture so you take them all!
Sydney Opera House at Circular Quay 
You'd think the dramatic Sydney Opera House would dominate the landscape for miles around.
But you'd be wrong.
Over the years, condo towers have more and more dwarfed this Sydney landmark, and more's the pity.
But it does depend on your perspective.
From the harbour, or the Bridge, or the cruise ship terminal or anywhere on the west side of Circular Quay, the Opera House dominates the view.
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Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge Views From Ferry 
Here's a picture of the Opera House that I took from the deck of a ferry to Manly.
I am facing almost due west, looking further into Sydney Harbour. The Pacific Ocean/ Tasman Sea is behind me.
The white tiled roof of the Opera House is said to look like the many sailboats on the harbour.
The bridge is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where the New Years Eve Fireworks take place.
The Opera House is located near the Circular Quay ferry dock and train station, and is a short walk to The Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Sydney Opera House preparing for New Years Eve Festivities 
This is the harbour side of the Opera House that faces the north Sydney suburb of Kirribilli.
I'd come to Sydney especially to attend the New Years Eve fireworks, so it was no surprise to see the television crews and caterers setting up for celebrations earlier in the day at the Opera House.
What was kind of cool, though, was seeing a sign just to the left of this view announcing the Lord Mayors Gala.
(My invitation must have gone astray :-)
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Close Look at Tiles on Sydney Opera House Roof 
Here's a closer look at the hundreds of small tiles that make up the roof of the Sydney Opera House buildings.
The Opera House occupies a narrow peninsula on the south side of Sydney Harbour, and so has views over the water on three sides:
- Botanical Gardens (southeast)
- Harbour Bridge (west)
- Kirribilli (north)
And to the south, as shown in this picture, the condos and towers of the Central Business District and Circular Quay.
And yes, if you come here, you will sidle up close to these tiles and run your hands over them. Everyone does!
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Site Map Layout For Sydney Opera House 
From Circular Quay, a wide promenade runs around the Opera House.
At one point, the walkway branches off to a lower level, which is where I saw this sign.
The main level is lined with galleries, restaurants and other shops.
As you'd expect, these shops pay higher rent for such prime real estate, and that pricey rent is reflected in the higher prices they charge.
For example, I paid $5 AUD (more than twice the usual price) for a regular size bottle of Gatorade.
More Sydney Opera House: What's On, Tours, etc. see the official site.
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