The setting is majestic, the architecture is magnificent and the atmosphere is memorable! Everything about visiting the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge provides visitors with a brilliant example of how iconic imagery can be used to stereotype a city. If we polled 100 people about what the most landmark in Sydney (or even Australia), you would be hard pressed to get many that did not specify either the Sydney Opera House or the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In fact the images portrayed from the beautiful shell like designs of the Opera House are globally renowned and help in attracting thousands of tourists every year!
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a magnificent building, rightfully considered one of the wonders of the modern world. Located at a prominent location on a peninsula near Sydney’s harbour, it is reminiscent of a ship in full sail leaving harbour. This iconic stereotype leaves the Opera House more renowned for it’s infamous design rather than the publications and shows that are present every day here! The audacious design by Jørn Utzon with enormous shell-like roofs was well ahead of its time. The building became an instant iconic landmark when it was completed in 1973 and has come to represent the whole country of Australia.
Walking around the grounds of the Opera House are impressive with the steps leading up to the landmark housing thousands of tourists as they seek photographs with themselves and the Opera House in the background. We were fortunate enough to get some good pictures and with the Harbour Bridge in the distance, they certainly provided memories we will cherish forever. The gift shops inside the opera house offer opportunities to take back some memories and this is also where you can purchase tickets either for an upcoming event or for a tour of the Opera House.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney CBD and the North Shore. The gorgeous views overlooking the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the background are iconic of Sydney and Australia in general. Anyone who is interested in daring activities can take part in the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. There are various climbs available throughout the year (weather dependent) but none of these are for the faint hearted!
