World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and is a mecca for four-wheel-driving enthusiasts from across the globe. Seventy-Five Mile Beach is a gazetted highway that runs up the surf side of the island and provides access to the townships of Eurong, Dilli Village, Happy Valley, Orchid Beach and Cathedral Beach.
More than 1500km of sand tracks crisscross the island taking you to some of the best natural attractions Australia has to offer including Lake McKenzie – a fresh water lake perched high in the sand dunes. We urge visitors to spend a few days exploring the beautiful freshwater lakes and creeks, ancient rainforests, massive sand blows and coloured sands.
Seventy-Five Mile Beach also provides some of the best beach fishing. But don’t take our word for it…
TNT Australia Magazine has compiled their top Aussie islands – including Fraser Island at the top of the list – in the May 6-19 issue of their popular travel magazine. (May 2013).
Fraser Island, jutting off the east coast of Queensland, has been voted number 1 in UK newspaper The Telegraph’s travel section poll on Favourite Australian Island Escapes (April 2013).
Fraser Island’s 75 Mile Beach is one of the ten best in Australia according to a new book – 101 Best Australian Beaches (November 2012). The author’s picked Fraser’s popular eastern beach as one of their ‘favourites’ writing: “This long beach on Queensland’s Fraser Island boasts ancient coloured dunes, bubbling freshwater springs, pristine lakes, and rainforest filled with wildlife. An astonishing 354 species of birds have been seen on the island, while the surrounding waters are home to dolphins, whales, dugongs, turtles and huge rays.”
TNT Magazine has just named Fraser Island in their ‘sexy’ Top Ten Australian Islands (October 2012).
American travel website CNNGo has named Hervey Bay as the World’s ‘Best Humpback Whale Watching’ destination. (September 2012).
National Geographic has recently named Fraser Island as one of the World’s Best Beaches saying “World Heritage-listed Fraser was an “ecologist’s dream”. The Queensland sand island was the only Australian location to make the 2012 list. (June 2012).
Australian Geographic listed Hervey Bay in the top ten places to Whale Watch in Australia and The Courier Mail named Fraser Island as one of the top ten best getaway drives in South East Queensland (June 2012).
The Daily Times (UK) named Fraser Island’s eastern beach in their list of the world’s STRANGEST beaches… rainforest growing in sand; swimming in fresh water on an ocean beach; it’s a gazetted highway; it’s a landing strip for planes… we call that pretty awesome! (June 2012).
Lonely Planet named Fraser Island in their Top Five Treasured Australian Islands (May 2012).
Discovery’s Travel Channel has previously listed Fraser Island as the World’s Best Beach chosen through consultation with Travel Channel and experts from the US’ leading travel publications including Islands and Travel & Leisure magazines.
Australian Traveller Magazine rated Fraser Island at number 9 in the list of 100 things to do before you die.
American business magazine Forbes listed Fraser one of the World’s Sexiest Islands, and the only Australian island to make the list. The list says Fraser Island’s “enormous sand dunes provide plenty of space and privacy for frolicking on the beach” and it names Kingfisher Bay Resort as the place to stay.
PLUS in 2006 Conde Nast Traveller readers voted Fraser Island into the Top 10 Pacific Islands and previously have voted it to be one of the World’s Top 10 Tropical Islands for three years running.
The Daintree Rainforest itself boasts an incredibly biodiverse landscape with a large concentration of animal and plant species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. It is also one of the oldest rainforests on the planet.
It covers 1,200 km squared, and is one of the finest examples of Mother Nature in the world, let alone in Australia. Situated in Northern Queensland, it gained its national park status back in the early 1980s and forms a vitally important part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland. A few years after opening it was awarded World Heritage status and remains to this day a ground to showcase Australia’s most picturesque landscapes and most beautiful flora and fauna.
For the most part, the park is covered by tropical rainforest, which has been alive for more than 110 million years.
It is thought the forest was created via a fortuitous continental drift when it split away from the supercontinent that took up the southern hemisphere millions of years ago. As it drifted away towards Antarctica, it passed through ocean currents and dropped in temperature, while other areas sped off to warmer climates. It is thought the rainforest segments of the supercontinent, like the Daintree, retained their original climates, as well as their original tree species. In fact, many tree species that have long been thought extinct have recently been rediscovered in the park.
It got its name from the Daintree River which weaves its pretty way through the forest, which in itself was named after Richard Daintree, the friend of keen explorer George Elphinstone Dalrymple.
The park is split into two separate sections with a sweep of lowland that connects the two. It’s here that you’ll find the quaint towns of Mossman and Daintree Village, both of which are tucked away beneath the green-carpeted scenery
Animals of daintree national park
The park is home to more than 430 different bird species, ranging from small, colourful varieties to larger, more prehistoric-looking species. Keep your eyes peeled for the wompoo fruit-dove, which is one of around six pigeon species in the park, as well as the cassowary and the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher.
On the forest floor, you might spot creatures like the striped possum, the ringtail possum, the brown bandicoot, and various species of tree kangaroo. There are plenty of native Australia critters here, too, including the swamp wallaby, the platypus, and the short-beaked echidna.
If that wasn’t enough, there are also around 23 reptile species that call the forest home, and 13 amphibians that wander between the watering holes and dry land. You might be able to spot forest dragons, water dragons, chameleon geckos, pythons, and varieties of tree snakes, as well as a unique frog species like the Australian lacelid, the white-lipped treefrog, and the common mist frog.
The selection of wildlife and plant species in the Daintree Rainforest really is spectacular, and you can guarantee that you’ll be able to spot at least a few of the native critters that call the park home. While wandering beneath the lush canopies and exploring ancient landscapes, keep your eyes peeled so you don’t miss a wildlife-spotting opportunity.
Some of the species that call it home can only be found in this small patch of land, and it contains a vast amount of wildlife that is otherwise extremely rare or near extinct in other parts of the world.
Explore Daintree National Park
The Daintree National Park’s stunning scenery and abundance of cute critters makes it the perfect place for nature lovers to explore. It offers a unique hotspot for outdoor holidays that is unrivalled by anywhere else in Australia; visitors can enjoy daintree frogjaw-dropping hiking trails, camp beneath the vibrant green canopies, cool off in natural rock pools, and enjoy spectacular views from uninterrupted lookout points. There is a wealth of eco-friendly accommodation in the area and a number of eateries that promote local, fresh dishes.
Originally owned by the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, the Daintree National Park is imbued with a legendary spiritual significance which weaves through the colourful undergrowth. It’s this combination of age-old histories and a new sense of development and sustainability that makes the Daintree National Park such an enticing place – well, that and it’s incredible wealth of wildlife and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Bondi Beach is Australia’s most famous beach. The jewel of Sydney’s laid-back beach lifestyle is home to one of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in the world and one of Australia’s oldest swimming clubs, the Bondi Icebergs. You can travel by public transport from the city centre to the iconic beach.
Enjoy a wonderful range of activities at the white sandy beach, from swimming and surfing to sunbathing and a spectacular coastal walk. Beach picnics are popular, too, and there are delicious beachside cafes and restaurants with splendid views of the beach and the sparkling blue ocean.
The main beach area is in front of the Bondi Pavilion, where there are change rooms, a gallery and a theatre. Professional lifesavers patrol the beach all year and you should always swim between the red and yellow flags. A 50-metre ocean pool and a children’s pool are at the southern end.
Famous of the world
With over 2.5 million visitors each year, Bondi Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the world and this particular attraction accounts for a significant amount of the tourists who visit Australia each year. It is featured on everything about Australia – from postcards to TV shows. It is rare for someone to visit Australia, particularly in the summer months (December to February) and not visit Bondi beach. If you have heard of the beach, you might be wondering what is so special about the beach. Why is Bondi Beach so popular? Why is Bondi Beach is a place must go in Sydney
Bondi Beach is part of Australia’s National Heritage List. The Sydney Roosters, a very popular Rugby team play at Bondi beach. It is on the Guinness World Record list for the largest swimsuit photo shoot ever with over 1010 women wearing bikinis taking part in the photo shoot. However, these are not the only reasons to join the bandwagon and visit Bondi beach. Bondi beach is unique because of the following reasons:
It is one of the best beaches in the world. The parked sand, the rocks, the water and the warm temperature combine to make the experience at Bondi beach like no other. You can surf waves or lie down on a blanket on the beach. You can skate as much as you want. The fact that there are lots of people on the beach also helps to create a great atmosphere. This is the place to be if you like meeting fellow tourists while enjoying your own vacation. There are few beaches in the world that are better than Bondi beach when it comes to hosting parties. Overall, Bondi beach is a beach that many tourists would enjoy.
You can visit in both Summer and Winter. Most beaches around the world are off limits during the winter season. Due to Australia’s unique weather, Bondi beach can be visited all year round – even during winter. During winter, visitors enjoy ice skating and participate in the various festivals taking place at the beach. Weather conditions are not an obstacle to visiting Bondi beach. It is basically the beach for all seasons.
There is great food at Bondi beach. When you visit Bondi beach, you will have an opportunity to get top quality Australian cuisine. The restaurants and cafes on Bondi beach serve sumptuous food that continues to attract tourists to the beach. Some of the best dishes you can try while on Bondi beach include; Australian steaks, Mexican, French, American burgers and seafood galore.
Many cultural events. There are many cultural events taking place at Bondi every year. This is one of the many features that draws visitors. In the last few years, there has been, among other events, a food festival, several company events and political gatherings.
Bondi beach is close to CBD. The CBD is Sydney’s most vibrant area and Bondi beach’s proximity to the CBD means that the beach would get a lot of traffic both from Australian residents and tourists.
Take a trip to Bondi beach today and enjoy the activities and the crowd. You don’t have to wait till it is summer in Australia as Bondi beach is one of the beaches in the world that are busy even in winter. This means that no matter what time of the year you can get a vacation, you can surely try having fun in this great Australian beach attraction. As one of the most popular places in the world, Bondi beach would be a great destination for you on your next vacation.
Uluru is recognised as “Australia’s most natural icon” and has become a focal point for Australia and the world’s acknowledgement of Australian indigenous culture. The sandstone monolith stands 348 metres (1,142 ft) high with most of its bulk below the ground. To Anangu (local indigenous people), Uluru is a place name and this “Rock” has a number of different landmarks where many ancestral beings have interacted with the landscape and/or each other, some even believed to still reside here. Kata Tjuta, meaning ‘many heads’, is a sacred place relating to knowledge that is considered very powerful and dangerous, only suitable for initiated men. It is made up of a group of 36 conglomerate rock domes that date back 500 million years.
Anangu are the traditional Aboriginal owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. believe that their culture was created at the beginning of time by ancestral beings. Uluru and Kata Tjuta provide physical evidence of feats performed during the creation period. They often lead walking tours to inform visitors about the local flora and fauna, bush foods and the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of the area.
The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act was passed in 1976, meaning that after many years Aboriginal law and land rights were finally recognised in Australian law. Nine years later on 26 October 1985 the traditional owners were presented with the freehold title deeds for the park, who, in turn, leased the land back to the Australian Government through the Director of National Parks (formerly the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service) for 99 years.
The Director is assisted by Parks Australia, a division of the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy. Since hand-back, Anangu and Parks Australia staff have worked together to manage the park. This process of working together is known as ‘joint management’.
History of uluru
Uluru and Kata Tjuta were formed about 350 million years ago during the Alice Springs Orogeny.
The Anangu have connected to the area for thousands of years and some records suggested that they may have lived there for more than 10,000 years.
Europeans came to the western desert area of Australia in the 1870s. Uluru and Kata Tjuta were first mapped by Europeans during the expeditionary period made possible by the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line in 1872.
In separate expeditions, William Ernest Powell Giles and William Christie Gosse were the first European explorers to this area. In 1872 while exploring the area, Ernest Giles sighted Kata Tjuta from near Kings Canyon and called it Mount Olga, while the following year Gosse saw Uluru and named it Ayers Rock after Sir Henry Ayers, the Chief Secretary of South Australia. Further explorations followed with the aim of establishing the possibilities of the area for pastoralism.
In the late 19th century, pastoralists attempted to re-establish themselves in areas adjoining the South-Western/Petermann Reserve and interaction between Anangu and white people became more frequent and more violent. Due to the effects of grazing and droughts, bush food stores were depleted. Competition for these resources created conflict between pastoralists and Anangu. As a result, police patrols became more frequent.
Aboriginal rock art at Uluru
Between 1918 and 1921 large adjoining areas of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory were declared as Aboriginal reserves, as sanctuaries for a nomadic people who had virtually no contact with white people. In 1920, part of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was declared an Aboriginal Reserve (commonly known as the South-Western or Petermann Reserve) by the Australian Government under the Aboriginals Ordinance 1918.
During the Depression in the 1930s, the Anangu became involved in dingo scalping with “doggers” who introduced Anangu to European foods and ways. The first tourists visited the Uluru area in 1936.
Australia is a land of dreams. From the sacred legends of the aboriginal Dreamtime, when the great spirits conjured the coral reefs, rainforests, and scorched red deserts, to armchair travelers who describe Australia as their dream destination, the Land Down Under deserves all the hype.
The world’s smallest continent and largest island, Australia is almost the same size as the United States but with a population the size of New York State and some of the quirkiest wildlife on the planet.
Australia is also a land of staggering contrasts and spectacular beauty. Along the coast, you can explore vibrant multicultural cities, vast sand islands, ancient rainforests, and one of the planet’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders – the Great Barrier Reef. In the Outback, rugged national parks and red-earthed deserts offer the ultimate in adventure travel.
1 Sydney Opera House
Mention “Sydney, Australia” and most people think of the Opera House. Shaped like huge shells or billowing sails, this famous building on Sydney’s Bennelong Point graces the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the world’s great architectural icons. The location is stunning. Water surrounds the structure on three sides, and the Royal Botanic Gardens border it to the south.
Danish architect, Jørn Utzon won an international competition for its design but withdrew from the project after technical and financing problems. Construction was finally completed in 1973 at a cost ten times the original budget. By this time, Utzon had left the country never returning to see his magnificent creation.
Today, you can enjoy a performance here; dine at one of the restaurants; or take a tour of the building, which encompasses theaters, studios, a concert hall, exhibition rooms, and a cinema. But it’s far more impressive viewed from a distance. One of the best sites to photograph the Opera House is Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens, or you can hop aboard a harbor cruise or ferry for yet another picturesque perspective.
Visible from outer space, the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest living structures on the planet. In 1975, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established to protect its fragile ecosystems, which include more than 3,000 coral reefs; 600 continental islands, including the beautiful Whitsunday group; 300 coral cays; and inshore mangrove islands. One of the seven wonders of the natural world, the park stretches for 2,300 kilometers along the state of Queensland, on Australia’s east coast (that’s about the distance between Mexico and Vancouver). Diving and snorkeling are spectacular. The astounding array of marine life includes soft and hard corals, more than 1,600 species of tropical fish, sharks, dugongs, dolphins, turtles, rays, and giant clams. If you prefer to stay dry, you can see the reef from underwater viewing stations and glass bottom boats. On the mainland, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Airlie Beach are the main launching points for tours.
Deep in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock), is one of the most photographed natural wonders in the country. The striking red monolith forms the centerpiece of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a World Heritage Area jointly managed by Parks Australia and the traditional landowners, the Aṉangu people. Uluru, meaning “shadowy place” in the local aboriginal dialect, rises to a height of 348 meters from the surrounding plain, with most of its bulk hidden beneath the earth’s surface. Also in the park are the red dome-shaped rocks called Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). As the sun dips in the sky, sightseers gather to watch the colors of Uluru and Kata Tjuta transform in the shifting light.
Along with the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most famous tourist attractions. Affectionately called “the Coathanger,” this impressive feat of construction is the largest steel arch bridge in the world. It was completed in 1932, 40 years before the Sydney Opera House. Rising 134 meters above the harbor, the bridge spans 500 meters, connecting Sydney’s North Shore to the central business district. In addition to the pedestrian path, two railway lines extend over the bridge, as well as eight lanes for road traffic, and the direction of each lane can be switched to accommodate traffic flow.
One of the top things to do in Sydney is a guided ascent to the top of the bridge, where you can enjoy spectacular views over the harbor and city. For an overview on the bridge’s history and construction visit the museum in the southeastern pier. Interestingly, Paul Hogan, of Crocodile Dundee fame, worked as a painter on the bridge before rocketing to international stardom.
5 Blue Mountains National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, beautiful Blue Mountains National Park lies 81 kilometers west of Sydney and is a popular day trip from the city. Named for the blue haze emanating from the many eucalyptus trees, this stunning park protects more than 664,000 acres of wilderness and encompasses dramatic gorges, waterfalls, aboriginal rock paintings, and 140 kilometers of hiking trails. The most famous attractions in the park are the towering sandstone rock formations called the Three Sisters. Other highlights include the Katoomba Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest, which whisks passengers down the Jamison Valley through a cliff-side tunnel into an ancient rainforest, and the Skyway, Scenic Cableway, and Scenic Walkway, which all offer elevated views of the dense forests. Hiking, abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding are all popular things to do in the park.
6 Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, is a popular stop on many Australian itineraries – especially for culture vultures. Galleries, theaters, restaurants, shops, and its distinctly European feel are the main draws of this sophisticated city on the Yarra River. It’s also a green city, with parks, gardens, and open spaces occupying almost a third of its total area. Highlights of the city include the Royal Botanic Gardens; Federation Square; the National Gallery of Victoria; and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where sports fans can watch cricket in the summer and Australian Rules football in the winter. Shoppers flock to the elegant Royal Arcade on Bourke Street, as well as Chapel Street; the Melbourne Central Shopping Center; and the Queen Victoria Market, which has been selling fruits, vegetables, clothes, and crafts for more than a century. To the east, greater Melbourne extends into the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, and in the south to the Mornington Peninsula, where many locals escape for day trips and seaside getaways.
7 Bondi Beach
Bronzed bodies, blond sand, backpackers, and surf – throw it all together and you get one of the world’s most famous beaches. Only 15 minutes by car from the city center, Bondi Beach is home to one of the oldest surf life saving clubs in the world. It’s also a great spot for a seaside stroll or picnic, and crowds of tourists and locals gather here to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year. A great way to soak up the sea views is to stroll along the scenic Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, which begins at the southern end of the beach and follows the coastline for six kilometers along sandstone cliffs. Shops, cafes, and restaurants lie across the street from this famous coastal strip. Other attractions around the beach include the Sunday markets, ocean pool, and skate park. Take care when swimming at Bondi. Strong rip tides often sweep unsuspecting swimmers out to sea, especially at the southern end of this kilometer-long strand, so swimmers should stay between the flags. There’s a reason the Aussies made a reality TV show called Bondi Rescue.
8 Daintree National Park
A Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Daintree National Park in Far North Queensland is among the most ancient ecosystems on Earth. The area belongs to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, and many of its natural features hold great spiritual significance. The park encompasses two main sections: Mossman Gorge, where crystal clear waters gush over granite boulders, and Cape Tribulation, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Australia, where rainforest meets reef along the white sandy beaches of the Coral Sea. This stunning stretch of coast is one of the few places in the world where two of the planet’s richest ecosystems converge. The park’s astounding biodiversity includes more than 18,000 plant species and a vast array of animal species, including the cassowary, crocodile, giant blue Ulysses butterfly, and the secretive Bennett’s tree kangaroo. The resort town of Port Douglas, just south of the park, is a great base to arrange wilderness safaris into the park.
World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, between Bundaberg and Brisbane off Australia’s east coast, is the largest sand island in the world and one of Australia’s top outdoor adventures – especially for four-wheel drive enthusiasts. Along windswept Seventy Five Mile Beach, you can see the rusted hulls of shipwrecks, the colored sandstone cliffs of The Cathedrals, and the bubbling fish-filled rock pools called Champagne Pools.
Venturing inland, highlights include crystal-clear freshwater creeks and lakes, some fed by springs, others perched amid towering sand dunes, and ancient rainforests filled with an amazing diversity of plants and animals. Sharks, dolphins, and whales prowl the waters, and the island’s fauna includes wild horses, dingoes, bats, sugar gliders, and more than 300 species of birds. Access to Fraser Island is by ferry from Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay. Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential as the island has no sealed roads.
Kakadu National Park, in the Top End or the Northern Territory, is a World Heritage Site and one of the planet’s great wilderness areas. Covering more than 19,840 square kilometers, Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia and the second largest in the world. Within its borders lie monsoon rainforests, mangrove swamps, rivers, gorges, ancient rock paintings, wetlands, and waterfalls, as well as an astounding diversity of wildlife. In addition to the many mammals, reptiles, and fish, more than 300 different species of birds make their home here, and both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles lurk in the wetlands. You can explore the park’s diverse ecosystems by car, air, boat, or on foot via the vast network of hiking trails. Note that during the wet season (Nov-April), many roads and attractions close due to heavy flooding.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects a large part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef from damaging activities. It is a vast multiple-use Marine Park which supports a wide range of uses, including commercial marine tourism, fishing, ports and shipping, recreation, scientific research and Indigenous traditional use.
Fishing and the removal of artefacts or wildlife (fish, coral, seashells, etc.) is strictly regulated, and commercial shipping traffic must stick to certain specific defined shipping routes that avoid the most sensitive areas of the park. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and best known coral reef ecosystem in the world.
Its reefs, almost 3000 in total, represent about 10 per cent of all the coral reef areas in the world. It supports an amazing variety of biodiversity, providing a home to thousands of coral and other invertebrate species, bony fish, sharks, rays, marine mammals, marine turtles, sea snakes, as well as algae and other marine plants.
Here are some interesting and fun facts about the Great Barrier Reef:
The Great Barrier Reef as we know it today, began to form over 2 million years ago and is constantly changing in size and structure
There are over 900 islands within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority or GBRMPA, is responsible for the well-being and protection of the reef
It is the largest reef system in the world
Over 2,000 species of animals call the reef home, including over 1,500 species of fish, over 200 species of birds, 6 species of sea turtles and over 30 species of whales and dolphins
The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 kilometres down the East Coast of Australia
It covers 344,400 km2
Reefs only contribute about 7% to the entirety of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with islands, cays, mangroves, sand, algal and sponge gardens and seagrass making up the rest
There are 600 types of soft and hard corals that make up the reef
It is said that 10% of the world’s fish population is found on the reef
The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea
Around 2 million people visit the Great Barrier Reef every year
The Great Barrier Reef was named a UNESCO World Heritage listed area in 1981
The Reef covers an area from the Torres Strait to Bundaberg, in Northern Queensland
Google offers an ‘underwater street view’ of the Great Barrier Reef where you can virtually swim around the reefs for a first-hand point of view
The Great Barrier Reef continues to thrive and grow every day, teaching us amazing things about its diverse ecosystem and local inhabitants. It is one of the most beautiful and astonishing places in the world and a national icon of Australia. As a source of national pride, it continues to be protected and cared for by its protectors, in hopes that it will be around for many, many generations to come.
A masterpiece of human creativity, the Sydney Opera House welcomes millions of visitors from all over the world every year. Unfortunately, due to current government restrictions the iconic venue has been forced to close its doors. Instead, a new digital program called From our House to Yours has launched to inspire, educate and entertain.
Digital Season
The program will include full-length performances and talks, never-before-seen footage, podcasts, long-form articles and behind-the-scenes content. It’s designed to bring people together, regardless of where they are. Content will be available free on-demand from the Sydney Opera House website.
In addition, exclusive new content will be released nightly at 6pm from Wednesday to Saturday. It will include performances from artists like Missy Higgins and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, talks from The Writers Room and All About Women, and readings from authors such as David Walliams.
Sydney Opera House is set on beautiful Sydney Harbour and features world-class performances of opera, ballet, classical and modern music, contemporary dance, theatre and more.
Things to do
Opened in 1973, the Sydney Opera House hosts more than 1,600 performances a year in its concert halls and theatres, from opera to comedy shows. Even the famous sails become a brilliant canvas for incredible digital lightshows such as Vivid Sydney, the biggest festival of light, music and ideas in the world, held in May and June.
One of the sails is illuminated daily at sunset, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm with the work of Aboriginal artists in the Badu Gili exhibition. You can also walk around the Opera House forecourt, day or night, and marvel at the unique building, which uses seawater from the harbour to power both the cooling and heating.
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed building on daily guided tours, available in English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. You’ll peek behind the curtains and uncover the fascinating stories of Australia’s most celebrated performing arts centre.
Interesting facts of opera House in Australia
ydney Opera House sits on Bennelong Point. Bennelong Point was named after Woollarawarre Bennelong, a senior Eora man at the time of the arrival of British colonisers in Australia in 1788.
The original cost estimate to build Sydney Opera House was $7 million. The final cost was $102 million and it was largely paid for by a State Lottery.
233 designs were submitted for the Opera House international design competition held in 1956. Jørn Utzon from Denmark was announced the winner, receiving ₤5000 for his design.
Construction was expected to take four years. It took 14 years. Work commenced in 1959 and involved 10,000 construction workers.
Paul Robeson was the first person to perform at Sydney Opera House. In 1960, he climbed the scaffolding and sang Ol’ Man River to the construction workers as they ate lunch.
Sydney Opera House was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2007
There are more than 1 million roof tiles covering approximately 1.62 hectares sitting over the structure. They were made in Sweden.
Seven A380s could sit wing-to-wing on the site.
Sydney Opera House was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20th October, 1973. She has since visited four times, most recently in 2006.
When the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is on stage in the Concert Hall, the temperature must be 22.5 degrees to ensure the instruments stay in tune. Temperature and humidity are critical to musical instruments.
Arnold Schwarzenegger (former actor and Governor of California) won his final Mr Olympia body building title in 1980 in the Concert Hall.
A net was installed above the orchestra pit in the Joan Sutherland Theatre during the 1980s following an incident during the opera Boris Godunov. The opera featured live chickens and one bird walked off the stage and landed on top of a cellist.
More than 10.9 million people visit the Opera House every year.
Sydney Opera House is cooled using seawater taken directly from the harbour. The system circulates cold water from the harbour through 35 kilometres of pipes to power both the heating and air conditioning in the building.
Each year, Lunar New Year is celebrated at the Opera House with sails lit in red, Lunar Lanterns and Mandarin tours. In 2019, some 25,000 people celebrated with us.
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