Opera Australia, the Sydney Theatre Company, and the Sydney Symphony, all call the Sydney Opera House home. Located on Bennelong Point in the Sydney Harbor, stands one of the most famous performing arts venues in the world.

The exterior of the building is something that draws tourists to this location in droves. The many roofs are made of 1 million glossy white Swedish tiles, and the entire building covers 4.5 acres. With five theatres, five rehearsal studios, four restaurants and six bars, it is safe to say the interior is extensive. Pink granite and wood supplied from New South Whales, adorns the majority of the interior.

It was the wish of Eugene Goossens, the Director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, to create a suitable venue for large productions in the late 1940s. The basic designed was to be determined by the Premier of NSW, Joseph Cahill, out of a competition that attracted 233 entries. Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect submitted the winning design, and began overseeing the project in 1957.

This huge venture was quoted at $7 million and was supposed to be completed in 1963. $102 million later, in 1973, the Sydney Opera House was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II. Many Australians thought the project would never be completed as the construction costs so exceeded the projected amount. However, in 1975, the bill was finally paid off largely through a public lottery system. For more information on this distinctive building, take Tourcaster’s Downtown Sydney and Opera House audio tour as well as the Circular Quay audio tour. You can download both tours to your iPod or mp3 player and tour the Sydney sites at your own pace.