13 Best Photo Spots of the Sydney Opera House

One of the most iconic buildings in the world, the Sydney Opera House is simply a work of art! Situated on Sydney Harbour, the most photographed spot in Australia, you can also enjoy great views of the Harbour Bridge and city.

If you planning a trip to Australia you will undoubtedly be after a shot of the Sydney Opera House. Most tourists will just stick to Circular Quay but if you are into urban photography I urge you to explore the Harbourside a bit more and check out my 13 best photo spots of the Sydney Opera House.

If you’re looking for accommodation near the Sydney Opera House, check out:

• Budget – Sydney Harbour YHA and Base Sydney
• Mid-range – Hotel Palisade and The Grace Hotel
• Luxury – Shangri-la Hotel, Intercontinental Sydney and Park Hyatt

Relevant posts:
Top 20 FREE Things To Do in Sydney.
A Guide to Moving to Sydney.

1) Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset in Sydney. It gives right onto the harbour with views of both the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge! If you’re lucky with your positioning you might even be able to line up the sun in between the Opera House and bridge!

2) The Royal Botanic Gardens

Right next to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is the Royal Botanic Gardens (entry is free). Unfortunately you cannot come here for sunset as it closes around 5pm. However this is a great location to find interesting framing of the Opera House with flowers in the foreground!

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3) On the steps of the Sydney Opera House

Now that you are closer you will be able to capture the 3 individual buildings that make up the Sydney Opera House. In order to capture a photo without anyone in I would recommend coming early (around sunrise).

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4) In the bar near the Sydney Opera House

I really love the seating alongside the river, it curves round drawing your eye towards the Sydney Opera House, definitely one of the most instagrammable spots in Sydney. If you’re here in the winter it will be easier to shoot as less people will be at the bar, I took my photo midweek around 10am. If you don’t want anyone in I would recommend taking this photo just after you’re finished on the steps!

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5) Capture the Sydney Opera House during Vivid

Once a year for 3 weeks around May and June, Sydney is transformed with music and light sculptures during Vivid. When night falls the Opera House has an array of images and artwork lighting up its sides, a super unique sight to experience! Find out more about instagrammable events in Sydney.

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6) The Shangri La Hotel

Enjoy the Sydney Opera House and Harbour from above whilst sipping a cocktail at the Shangri-La Hotel bar or even from your room!

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7) The Hickson Road Reserve

One of my favourite spots to shoot the Sydney Opera House is at the Hickson Road Reserve. Here you can capture the Opera House from the side without worrying about how many people are in your shot as the river is directly behind you!

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You can also use the Park Hyatt Hotel to capture amazing reflection shots of the Opera House, or find the broken part of the fence for a unique framing.

8) Under Sydney Harbour Bridge

Another great angle of the Sydney Harbour is capturing the Opera House under the Harbour Bridge. Head here around sunrise to catch the beautiful golden colours on the bridge.

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9) Enjoy the Opera House from the water!

One of the main public transport systems in Sydney is the ferry! Catch a boat across the harbour to Milsons Point (only takes around 5 minutes) or even better go to Manly for the day, this way you can see the Opera House from every angle as you’ll go around it! Catch the ferry on a Sunday as travel is capped at $2.70!

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10) On top of the Harbour Bridge

One of my favourite free things to do in Sydney is climbing over Sydney Harbour Bridge. It gives you a great vantage point over the harbour and opera house, perfect for a photo!

11) Sydney’s Luna Park

Just across the harbour from the Opera House is Luna Park. Not only is Luna Park a super fun place to spend a few hours, but you can also capture the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the foreground!

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12) Milsons Point

Another great angle to capture the Sydney Opera House is from Milsons Point. Here you can see the two layers of two of the buildings that make up the opera house. I personally love this spot for urban night photography.

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13) Kirribilli

My final favourite photo spot of the Sydney Opera House is Belulah Street in Kirribilli. You can shoot this spot at the same time as Milsons Point as it’s also a great place for night time photography.

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I hope you get some great and unique shots of the Sydney Opera House! It is such a beautiful building and different from every angle, it’s a very interesting landmark to photograph! If you’re staying in Sydney for a while you might want to plan a day or weekend trip to the Blue Mountains, Port Stephens and Jervis Bay.

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