Day 8 - Opera House and The Rocks (again)

It's hard to believe that we have been here an entire week. We arrived last Thursday and things have been a blur; with today being no exception.

It was an early start to the day (6:30 AM for me - but others were up earlier) as we needed to make our way back to Sydney for a tour of the Opera House. We had planned to do this the day we arrived, if we were up for it. We had never travelled this far before, and with the drastic time change, we just had no idea how we would feel. So, we did not book the tour of the Opera House for the Thursday of our arrival. As it turns out, we were ok, but there were no tickets available for the tour until after we had left the city with Steve and Margaret, which is a little more than an hours drive out of Sydney. Well that's a bummer. 

As it turns out, Steve and Margaret had not participated in a tour of the Opera House before, so they were game to go back into the city if we could get tickets, which we did for Thursday (today). However, instead of driving all the way back into the city and finding parking, we decided to take the Metro into town and avoid all of that. This required us to leave at 7:30 AM so we could get into town for our 10:30 AM tour. 

Breakfast this morning was a couple of pieces of toast with homemade fig and lemon jam's along with a dark roasted peanut butter. That was amazing. Then, we made sure to grab our hats, sunglasses and water bottles as it was projected to be 30 degrees celsius for the day as we made our way out the door. It was supposed to be about a 30 minute drive to Tallawong Metro Station, and I guess it actually was about that to get there.  

What we did not realize was how busy that station would be. It seems that a lot of people live outside of Sydney and then commute in for work. What this means is that we were unable to find a parking spot. Like - anywhere near the station.  We spent quite a bit of time driving around looking for a place to just park the vehicle.  We eventually came across a parkade near the Rouse Hill Town Centre and parked the car there.  We then had to walk to the Rouse Hill Metro Station putting us about a half hour behind the rough schedule we had. 

We then made our way into the station, tapped on to the train (this essentially is just tapping your credit card as you go in), and waited on the platform for the train to arrive.  They run pretty regularly, which is probably why they seem to popular for those communing into the city. The ride took about 5 minutes and we were in downtown Sydney.  We walked for about 15 minutes to get down to Circular Quay, where the Sydney Opera House is located.

Another Look at this Amazing Structure with Steve and Margaret

As we stepped onto the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House, its gleaming white sails rose before us, more breathtaking in person than any postcard could capture. Our guide began the tour with the story of Jørn Utzon, the visionary Danish architect whose radical design won an international competition in 1957. Walking closer, I ran my hand over the smooth, cream-colored tiles—over a million of them, crafted in Sweden, perfectly arranged to catch the sunlight. I'm not sure what it is about my tactile obsession. I guess running my fingers across something just helps make it real for me. 

The Sun at the Perfect Opera House Angle

Close-up of the Tiles

Inside, the atmosphere shifts from grand openness to intimate elegance, with warm timber paneling and soaring concrete walls and ceilings. And this is only the common areas which, by themselves, are a form or architectural symphony. 

Inside Looking Out of one of the Sails

The Concrete Endoskeleton (and Bruce, our Guide) 

Concrete Forms Inside the Walls

As we move through the two concert halls, I can’t help but marvel at how this masterpiece has become a global stage for music, theatre, and art, an icon recognized around the world. If you look closely at the first picture, you can see the organist practicing. Apparently it's quite rare to be able to hear this man practicing. 

The Sydney Opera House is home to the Grand Organ in the Concert Hall, the largest mechanical action pipe organ in the world. Built by Ronald Sharp over a span of ten years, this massive instrument features an astounding 10,154 pipes spread across five manuals (keyboards) and pedals. The pipes, ranging in size from a few centimeters to over ten meters, are crafted from wood and metal, producing a vast range of tones.

Completed in 1979, the organ is a true feat of engineering and artistry, designed to complement the Concert Hall’s renowned acoustics. It requires constant maintenance to keep it in top condition, with regular tuning and occasional restoration work. Whether played for classical recitals or grand orchestral performances, the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ remains one of the most impressive and revered instruments in the world.

The Main Stage (and organist)

The Concert Hall is the largest and most prestigious venue in the Sydney Opera House, renowned for its breathtaking architecture and world-class acoustics. With a seating capacity of around 2,700, it features soaring vaulted ceilings, rich brush box timber paneling, and the iconic "petal" acoustic reflectors suspended from the ceiling, which help distribute sound evenly throughout the space.

This grand hall hosts a wide variety of performances, from symphony orchestras and opera to rock concerts and keynote speeches. It is also home to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. A recent renovation has further enhanced its acoustics and accessibility, ensuring that this magnificent space continues to be a premier destination for artists and audiences alike.

Looking Towards the Back of the Concert Hall

A View from the Side of the Concert Hall

Next we made our way into the Joan Sutherland Theatre which is one of the most celebrated performance spaces within the Sydney Opera House. Named in honor of the legendary Australian soprano Dame Joan Sutherland, this 1,500-seat proscenium arch theatre is home to Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet.

Designed for opera, ballet, and musical theatre, the venue boasts state-of-the-art stage machinery, an orchestra pit that can accommodate over 70 musicians, and beautifully tiered seating that ensures excellent sightlines from every angle. The theatre underwent a major refurbishment in 2017, improving acoustics, accessibility, and backstage facilities, ensuring it remains a world-class stage.

Our tour guide, Bruce, had noted that some people like to linger behind as the group exists and then sing in the hall, after which they can claim that they have sung in the Sydney Opera House; a true honor. Laureen sang our one note as we were leaving, so I guess she is now one the few people who have sung in the Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House.  Unfortunately, I did not get a video or a photo of her singing, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

The Joan Sutherland Theatre in the Sydney Opera House

Just outside of this amazing theatre, was a larger tinted windows of the Opera House sail that faces the harbour. I managed to get this next photo of the Harbour Bridge through this main window.

Harbour Bridge Through the Opera House Windows

I have to admit, that was amazing. 

Our tour ended, and we made our way toward The Rocks neighbourhood so we could find a place to have lunch before heading off for the next tour.  We stopped at The Rocks Cafe where we all were ready to sit down for a little while after all of the walking. 

Before we were served our lunch choices, we decided to take a picture like a few of the ones we took on our European tour with Kassie in 2016. This one reminds me of the one we took on the island of Capri.

Lunch at The Rocks Cafe

I decided to try the Kangaroo Burger, which was made with Kangaroo meat. It was good and tasted quite a bit alike a beef burger. It could have been how they seasoned it that made it so.

The Kangaroo Meat Burger

Our next item on the schedule was a walking tour through the neighbourhood known as The Rocks. As we wander through the narrow, winding streets of this old neighbourhood, it feels like we’ve stepped back in time. Nestled along Sydney’s iconic harbor, this historic district tells the story of the city’s past—from its rough beginnings as a convict settlement in 1788 to the vibrant cultural hub it is today. Sandstone buildings, some dating back over 200 years, stand proudly alongside trendy cafés, boutique shops, and bustling markets.

Our guide, Anne from The Rocks Walking Tours, brings the past to life with her vivid storytelling. As we follow her through hidden laneways and cobbled alleys, she shares tales of convicts, sailors, and the early settlers who shaped this neighbourhood. We stop to admire the contrast—old pubs where rowdy sailors once drank now sit beside modern galleries showcasing Australian art. The Rocks is a place where history whispers from every corner, yet it pulses with life, filled with street performers, visitors, and the aroma of fresh food wafting from the weekend market stalls. With the Sydney Harbour Bridge towering overhead and the Opera House just a short stroll away, it’s easy to see why this area is one of Sydney’s most captivating destinations.

The tour was an hour and a half and was full of all kinds of historical information about the area. It was quite enjoyable, but by now we have done quite a bit of walking (and are not finished yet). 

We decided to take a ferry from Circular Quay to Barangaroo Metro Station.  I think there was some inkling that the station would be closer than walking back to the one where we arrived in downtown Sydney this morning. This turned out NOT to be the case, however, this ferry ride gave me a couple more opportunities to take some photos of those amazing landmarks. Before we got on the ferry we all stopped for a cold treat to reward us for the long day in the hot sun. Somebody nearly had frozen yogurt "flingged" at their head as they were a little pushy about how much time was being taken to eat it. I'll leave you to guess who it was.

Under the Harbour Bridge

The Magnificent Pylon of the Harbour Bridge

The Harbour Bridge and The Sydney Opera House

From the Water, the Iconic Sydney Opera House

We arrived at the Barangaroo Ferry Terminal, only to find out we had another 15 minute walk to the Metro station. It would not have been so bad, if we had not been walking all day already in the 30 degree temperatures. So, we trudged the path to the station and made our way to the platform.

What we did not anticipate, but should have, was that it was now about quitting time for most of the workers who use this train to head back to the surrounding areas. Sigh. Already hot and tired, we found ourselves standing for about half of the train ride while the Metro made it's way through the 15 or so stops that we needed to pass through before getting back to our station. 

Steve & Margaret Standing on the Metro

We made it back to our stop (Rouse Hill), and Steve and I made our way to the car while the girls sat near the exit of the station. We retrieved the vehicle and picked up the girls to make our way back to their house. I think everyone's feet were sore.  Steve took off his shoes and socks and drove in bare feet. I noted that the film on my sunglasses made me aware that he did this. 

Also, somehow we got on the subject of the Canadian provinces, and Margaret was trying to say "Saskatchewan", but somehow it came out "Szechuan". I'm still chucking over how one of our Canadian provinces became a style of Chinese food. 

 

We arrived home to collapse down on chairs and have a lighter dinner and watch the Finn's Footie club loose to the team they played against in the Grand Final last season. I don't think I've ever heard Margaret say words like that before... %&$&^$&^$&$$#. ;-)

It was a very full day, but an enjoyable one for sure.  It's now well after midnight, so I had better get myself to bed.

Curt & Laureen in Australia