Sydney Opera House Tour with Kids Review
Sydney, Australia, is known for the Sydney Opera House, and you can tour it with kids. The Sydney Opera House even has a Junior Adventure Tour specifically for kids (along with their grown-ups, of course).
The Junior Adventure Tour takes place during the school holidays. Tours take place twice daily, both in the morning. Tour times vary slightly based on the time of year. Each tour lasts about an hour.
Only 25 people are allowed to join each tour, so sign up early if there is a specific time and date you are hoping for. Tours do sell out.
I took my kids on the Junior Adventure Tour of the Sydney Opera House. Years before, I had toured the opera house with my sister and knew that my kids would enjoy seeing this famous building. I also knew that they would prefer a tour aimed at children.
Keep reading to find out more about the Junior Adventure Tour and what to expect during your visit to the Sydney Opera House with kids.
Arriving at the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is located between Circular Quay and the Royal Sydney Botanic Gardens. It is accessible by public transportation, including buses, trains, trams, and ferries, as well as by walking or driving.
Once you arrive at the Sydney Opera House, find the Welcome Center on the lower concourse. You do not need to climb any stairs or go into the building.
We walked to the Opera House from the gardens, and it was not clear where to go, but we went inside the building to ask at the box office.
Once you find the meeting point, you can check in your bags and prams. Prams are not allowed on the tour as there are many stairs.
We were a few minutes late as we had difficulty finding the meeting place, so I suggest getting there early to find the meeting place and check in your bags.
Junior Adventure Tour at the Sydney Opera House
Once we found our tour group, we were quickly ushered into one of the small theatres where a dance group was rehearsing. We were unable to take photos inside as there was a rehearsal happening, and we had to be quiet.
From there, we walked around the Opera House, both inside and outside. We learned about the construction of the building and how the roof is like an orange peel that doesn’t need to be connected to the main building. The kids even got to touch the tiles on the roof.
At one point, there were costumes for the kids to wear if they wished. A variety of costumes were available, including dresses, tutus, jackets, and capes.
Most of the tour includes walking and standing, though we did sit down for a few minutes to watch a video.
Our tour had 3 guides, all of whom were amazing with kids. The tour felt very child-friendly.
It does get extremely hot at one point of the tour when the sun shines into the Opera House. We were there in winter, and still, it was very hot, so I recommend leaving winter clothes in the bag check if possible.
Looking for more kid-friendly tours in Sydney? Check out the Sydney Observatory Family Tour.
More Tours at Sydney Opera House
Unfortunately, the Junior Adventure tour is not handicap-accessible as it contains up to 300 stairs. However, the Opera House does have a Mobility Access Tour.
The Sydney Opera House Tour takes place almost daily for up to 35 guests. You can also book a tour that includes a meal and a drink afterward.
A backstage tour takes up to 10 guests behind-the-scenes of the Sydney Opera House. This particular tour includes breakfast and the chance to walk on stage.
Sydney Opera House also has an Architectural Tour with up to 9 guests. The Architectural Tour lasts about an hour and includes information on the building of the Opera House.
Occasionally throughout the year, tours such as Taste of the House and Hidden House Tours are available.
For those who wish to see a show at the Sydney Opera House, there are usually plenty to choose from, including musical theatre, dance performances, operas, symphonies, and children’s shows.
Sydney Opera House Tour with Kids Wrap Up
Taking the kids on the Junior Adventure Tour of the Sydney Opera House is a great way to see one of the main sights in Sydney with kids.
While seeing a show at the Sydney Opera House is another amazing option, going on a tour allows both the child and grown-ups the chance to learn about the construction and history of the opera house, as well as a chance to see performance rehearsals.
If you are traveling to Sydney with kids, or even if you live in Sydney, visiting the Sydney Opera House is a must-do.
Find Kid-Friendly Restaurants with Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Sydney plus Where Kids Eat for Free in Sydney.
Sydney Opera House with Kids FAQ
All ages can visit the Sydney Opera House for different events. Workshops such as Baby Music Jam are designed for kids 0-2. The Junior Adventure Tour is geared toward kids. There are performances for kids.
If you are curious about the age limit for a certain performance or workshop, check the website of the Sydney Opera House for details.
You can enter the Sydney Opera House on a tour, for a performance, or for an event. There are no other ways to visit the Sydney Opera House (unless you are working there).
Photography is allowed inside the Sydney Opera House, though no pictures are allowed during performances.
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