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Overview
We know beach, barbies and blue skies make a perfect summer, but nowadays our favourite season isn’t complete without an hour or two at our city’s arguably most iconic attraction. For the third year running, the Sydney Opera House is transforming itself into a playground of sights, bites and goodies including The Summerhouse Tour to take you behind the scenes where the magic happens, as well as summer specials promotions to ensure you make the most of every mouthful.
Running until the end of January from 5pm daily, the Summerhouse Tour (one hour, $45) is ideal if you’re new to the city or an Opera House old hat. Not only will you finish with a beer, wine or Bellini, taking in the sunset surrounded by the buzzing crowd, but you’ll explore scenes and settings us normal folk would usually never get to see. Led by an expert guide (with a few insider secrets to divulge), you’ll explore theatres, foyers and off-limit areas where more than 1,600 shows have wowed crowds over the House’s 58-year history. Book online and save 10% on your ticket, or if you can’t make the 5pm start, fear not: all other tours will be running as usual from 9am.
The recently renovated Opera Bar will be decked out in a tropical theme and offering a juicy $20 prawn cocktail promo plus two drink specials. Nab yourself a young coconut (spiked, of course) or a deliciously cooling slushie, available in watermelon granite or frosty fruit flavours.
The theatre bars themselves will be dressed up to suit the summer theme, with three seasonal cocktails at $15 each, including the fresh lemon and ginger, rum and lemonade Aloha; a Paradise Point of vodka, lemon juice, honey and ginger ale; and the Pink Bikini, combining tequila, grapefruit and lime juice. For something non-alcoholic, keep your eyes peeled for the Liana Raine popsicle cart serving on the Upper Concourse.
Then — with sandpits, interactive performances, a Veuve Clicquot pop up and dedicated kids' areas — to name just a few attractions (more detail here), all that’s left is to enjoy summer like a true Sydneysider.
For the full program, see the Summerhouse website.