Sydney Opera House launches tour of never-before-seen areas

In celebration of its 50th anniversary year, the Sydney Opera House has announced a new tour of its back-of-house area, Hidden House, for a limited-run from June to October.

From pulleys to props, scenery to sound-checks, the new tour has been specially curated to open up more of the landmark venue to locals and visitors, exploring never-before-seen areas of Australia’s most recognised building.

The tour will journey into back-of-house spaces including the Concert Hall’s world-famous organ – the largest known mechanical action pipe organ in the world – its follow-spot lighting room, which puts a spotlight on world-class talent like Lizzo and The Cure, and the Joan Sutherland Theatre’s backstage lift, which carries up to twenty tonnes of set props for acclaimed performances by Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet.

Intimate groups of 10 will be hosted by two Opera House tour guides, and – for the first time on an Opera House tour – staging and lighting technicians will share lively anecdotes of what it’s like to work in the world-famous landmark. Following the tour, a leisurely high-tea brunch will be served at Portside restaurant complete with sweeping harbourside views.

Announcing the Hidden House tour, Sydney Opera House Chief Customer Officer, Jade McKellar stated “the Opera House is more than just a piece of beautiful architecture. It is a living stage for culture, creativity and imagination. During our milestone 50th anniversary year, we’re opening up our doors in new and exciting ways so that more people can experience the magic of the Opera House.

“With this brand new tour, we’re drawing the curtain back on the building’s thriving epicentre and the powerful stories that bring our icon to life every day.”

The new Hidden House tour complements the Opera House’s traditional tour which is available in seven different languages, the Mobility Access Tour, the Architectural Tour, Taste of the House, a guided culinary adventure through all of the Opera House’s on-site bars and restaurants, and the Junior Adventure Tour, aimed at younger visitors.

Images: The Sydney Opera House's Hidden House tour includes access to the Concert Hall organ (top, credit: Ken Leanfore) and the Joan Sutherland Theatre's backstage lift which carries up to 20 tonnes of set props (below, credit: Ken Leanfore).