The Sydney Opera House is Australia’s most famous landmark, a sail-shaped performing arts venue perched on Sydney Harbour that hosts thousands of concerts, operas, and theatre performances each year.
Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973 after a famously turbulent 14-year construction, the building’s sculptural white shell roof was a feat of engineering that had no precedent at the time. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, one of the youngest structures ever to receive the honor.
The forecourt, boardwalks, and outdoor terraces are free to explore any time, while a guided one-hour interior tour is the best way to see inside the concert halls.