Top 5 places to see the Sydney Opera House

Sydney . 2013 . May 19 - 25

This post is part of our Sydney 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

You have always wanted to see the Sydney Opera House and you are finally here! But where's the best places that you can have the unrivalled views of the iconic Australian architecture? Follow Discover . Book . Travel as we reveal our top 5 places!

1.    Circular Quay

Just a few minutes walk from the Circular Quay train station, the promenade opposite the Sydney Opera House is easily the most accessible and strategic place for photo taking.  Continue on the restaurant-lined promenade (and take a chance to walk through The Rocks District) to the grounds outside Park Hyatt Sydney which offers stunning view of the Sydney harbour.   Further north is the Sydney Harbour Bridge which in itself is already an attraction.

2.    Sydney Harbour Bridge

Other than the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the other iconic landmark that is synonymous with Sydney's cityscape. For the physically fit, try the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb.  With more than 1300 steps to the top of the bridge, this climb is challenging but conquerors are rewarded with an unobstructed view of the harbour.  However, for safety reasons, no cameras are allowed during the climb.  Therefore, the next best place to snap that picture of the Sydney Opera House will be on the bridge itself, at ground level.  Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Luna Park and Kirribilli House to see another breathtaking angle of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

3.    On board a River Cruise

One of the best ways to view the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is not on land, but on waters surrounding these two iconic landmarks.

Several cruise operators depart from Circular Quay, Darling Habour and Manly Wharf on a regular basis daily.  The major players are Captain Cook cruises, Sydney Ferries, Sydney Harbour Eco Hopper, Yellow Water Taxis.  Most of these cruise operators work on a hop-on, hop-off basis, allowing visitors to use it not only as scenic cruising, but also as a form of transport between places of attraction around the Sydney Harbour.

4.    At Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo offers so much more than Australian animals.  It's strategic location offers a panoramic view of the awesome Sydney cityline, including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Located just 12 minutes away from the city, Taronga Zoo is accessible by bus and ferry. Photographers will find this a photography haven amid the lush surroundings of Taronga Zoo.

5.    Mrs Macquarie's Chair at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Located at the tip of the penisula in Sydney Harbour, Mrs Macquerie's Chair offers splendid views of the northwest face of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take a leisurely stroll in the Royal Botanic Gardens and follow the curve of Farm Cove to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, a rock formation overlooking the Sydney Harbour.  Mrs Macquerie's Chair is named after the wife of Major-General Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821.   It is said that she frequents the area and enjoys sitting on the rock to watch ships sail into the harbour. 

Mrs Macquerie's Chair (Credits: Wikipedia)

Sydney Opera House from Mrs Macquerie's Chair (Credits: http://abidare.wordpress.com/features/a-fortnight-down-under/the-view-from-mrs-macquaries-chair/)

That concludes our verdict of the top 5 places to view the Sydney Opera House. If you've been to Sydney, do share you favourite spots to see the iconic Opera House too! :)

This post is part of our Sydney 7 days 6 nights Trip Itinerary and Report. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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