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Comprised of 10 “sails”, the roof is made of over one million tiles. Designed to counter the sunlight, the ceramic tiles take on a lustrous glow at dawn and dusk.

The Opera House’s most impressive venue, and home to the Sydney Symphony, seats 2,679 and hosts concerts, opera and drama performances. Its acoustics are acclaimed worldwide, and the Grand Organ took ten years to design and tune.

Home to the Australian Ballet, the Sydney Dance Company and Opera Australia, this lovely theatre seats more than 1,500. It hosted the site’s first performance in 1973, Prokofiev’s War and Peace .

Not part of Utzon’s original plan, this intimate theatre is now a much-loved venue for the Sydney Theatre Company. Its size ensures good sightlines from every seat.

The intimate venue hosts contemporary theatre productions and the popular ‘Kids at the House’ programme.

The youngest, grooviest and most flexible venue caters to contemporary short-run productions, including gay cabaret, hip-hop theatre, world music, country and western, comedy and dance. The foyer outside presents monthly art exhibitions.

It is indicative of the Opera House’s casual disposition that visitors are welcome to follow the walkways around the 1.8-ha (4.4-acre) site. Take a seat and enjoy the bustling harbour views, or admire the sails from a multitude of different angles.

Framed by the Botanic Gardens and Government House, the Forecourt and the 86-m (282-ft) wide Monumental Steps are the perfect setting for outdoor events, such as ballroom dancing or Greek folk music. A weekly arts and crafts market is also held here.

Topaz-tinted glass canopies and massive girders enclose the Northern Foyers of the Concert Hall and Opera Theatre, and offer spectacular 180-degree views of the harbour.

Dinning at Sydney Opera House caters for all tastes, from stylish cocktails at the bar and snacks and light meals at the sidewalk café to a night of indulgence at the award-winning (see Guillaume at Bennelong)