Travel to Sydney

The Sydney Opera House is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements of its time, hence making it one of the most innovative buildings of the 20th Century. The Sydney Opera House was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site ensuring this magnificent structure remains timelessly vigilant overlooking the Sydney Harbor.

The Sydney Opera House concept was first proposed in the 1940s by the then director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music Eugene Goossens. The need for a purpose built Opera House was immediate due to the current location the Sydney Townhall being too cramped and ill equipped. After gaining the support from the then NSW Premiere Joseph Cahill it was decided that an international design competition be held to choose the most innovative design for the new Opera House.

The competition was launched on the 13th of September 1955 and a flood of 233 entries flowed in from 32 countries. Ranging from independent architects to prestigious design firms the eventual winner was a highly imaginative architect from Denmark named Jorn Utzon who proposed the now famous shell based design for the Sydney Opera House.

It was decided that the Sydney Opera House would be built on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour so that all passenger liners of the day that entered the harbour would be awed by this amazing design ahead of its time. Similarly the opera house can be seen from angles on opposite ends of the harbour and is easily accessible by rail and bus.

There are seven functional areas that make up the Sydney Opera House, the Concert Hall is the largest of these spaces, it seats 2,678 and is the home of the famous Sydney Symphony, the second largest space is the Opera Theatre, this hall with its wide swooping arch is home to Opera Australia, the Australian Ballet and Sydney Opera House. The Opera Theatre is constantly booked throughout they year ensuring there are a variety of plays and events to satisfy everyone’s taste.

The Drama Theatre, Playhouse and the Studio are all found beneath the main Concert Hall. Companies such as the Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Festival and Bell Shakespeare Group perform within the Drama Theatre. The Playhouse is one of the more intimate venues within the Sydney Opera House and is ideal for chamber music, single-set productions and film screenings. The Studio is the smallest of the performance halls and is mainly utilized for contemporary performances.

The Utzon Room is the only interior space designed by Jorn Utzon the original architect of the Sydney Opera House. Its refurbishment that was completed recently was the last active work done by Utzon before his passing in 2008. The room is an architectural marvel with brilliant acoustics and dappled light effects from the surrounding harbor. Finally the Forecourt is an open air venue that is used for a multitude of small gatherings and events.

Situated in a separate series of small shells away from the main opera house complex is the Bennelong Restaurant, enjoy fine cuisine from one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, while overlooking the calm waters of the harbor and the cityscape behind it. In addition there are a variety of theatre bars that are ideal to meet up before or after a show for a quick chat and wind down.

The Sydney Opera House is a vibrant, timeless structure that promotes unique design, arts and culture. The Taj Hotels are located throughout the world including Australia, via a prominent Sydney 5 star hotel.  This luxury abode affords picturesque views of the harbour and the Central Shopping and Business District.

Who doesn't enjoy traveling? Only very few people would raise their hands. In fact, traveling has become of the favorite activities of many people. When planning for a good trip, you may want to explore the land down under. Not only, they have an all-year round pleasant weather, you can also feed your visions with the best sights you can lay your eyes on. Going to Australia is never complete without making a stop at different Australian landmarks.

One of the most fascinating places in the world is the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is situated across the breathtaking Sydney Harbor. It connects the Central Business District of Sydney and the North Shore. Going to this place can also give you the opportunity to see the iconic image of the Sydney Opera House. Its arch design gave it the nickname "The Coathanger".

This bridge, one of the best Australian landmarks, was opened in the year 1932 and was built by Dorman Long. During this year, there were 799 homes and other buildings which were demolished to give way to the construction. The arcs of this bridge were initially constructed in the year 1929. The very first panel was built on the southern most end in the month of March which was a month after the first panel was erected.

A number of support cables were used to support the arch during the construction process. And they were also slowly released upon the completion of the arch. This momentous event happened on August 19, 1930.  The main road plus the tracks of the railway and tram were finished the year after the arch was completed. In that same year, the other utilities were also installed including drainage pipes, electric, water, and gas lines. The very first test train run was carried out on January 19, 1932 and it was a huge success. It was done safely and without any glitches.