SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
By ‘Alberto'
Most Backpackers in Sydney are keen to immediately start exploring Sydney's most famous places from the moment they arrive, and those staying at the Famous Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel are fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of its fantastic location being just minutes away from such places, one of the most popular being the Sydney Opera House.
There are several great places from which to observe the Sydney Opera House. From the Jolly Swagman Sydney Hostel, head down the old steps at the end of Victoria St. Follow the path around Woolloomoolo Bay and head up towards the Domain. It is well worth continuing up to the ‘chair' at Mrs Macquarie's Point, from where the best post-cardly picturesque view of the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge can be observed. Continue therough the Botanic Gardens around Farm Cove and you will shortly arrive at Bennelong Point where the house itself is located.
Visitors are allowed to go into the foyer of the Sydney Opera House and sometimes around the front. Tours of the Sydney Opera house are also available in a variety of languages.
The Opera Bar (located under the concourse) is a great place for a drink in the evening as you watch the sunset over the Harbour bridge.
Contining around Bennelong Point you will pass the ‘Toaster', a local name for the series of buildings put up on the east side of Cirqular Quay. Just after the Ferry terminal you will come the the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and the overseas ferry passenger terminal; which also affords great views of the house.
For the especially keen, or those too broke to do the Bridge Climb, a fun and inexpensive activity for adamant walkers is to take the footpath across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Kirribilli, where you can get an often missed perspective of the Sydney skyline. Taking in the amazing view you will understand immediately why this area on New Year's Eve becomes more full than the Dublin Betty Ford Clinic! Trains run regularly back to the city from Milson's Point where you can change for King's Cross.
All this being said, there is no other way to truly experience the Sydney Opera House other than to see a live performance. Every year the Sydney Opera House showcases a truly world class collection of seasons in theatre, opera, music, ballet as well as hundreds of specialty performances.
The friendly staff at the famous Jolly Swagman Backpackers Sydney Hostel are always more than happy to recommend performances and check their times.
