Access Tours
Access Tours operate daily at 12pm for one hour and are designed for patrons with limited mobility. It is
The Essential Tour without steps. You will visit atleast one of our venues - where we live performance every day.
Bookings are essential. Please ensure you book in advance as places are limited.
Auslan interpreted tours are offered on the fourth Tuesday and fourth Saturday of each month at 12pm, unless otherwise stated. On these tours an Australian Sign Language interpreter will accompany the tour guide to interpret The Essential Tour commentary. Bookings must be made atleast 7 days in advance and are subject to the availability of the interpreter. For more information about this service and how to book, please contact the Accessibility Manager at jspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com.
The Essential Tour has visitor receiver units which are compatible with hearing aid T-loop setting. If you require a visitor receiver unit compatible with your T-loop setting, please ensure you advise our staff at the time of booking.OnlineThere are no online sales for these tours, however bookings can be made by emailing tourism@sydneyoperahouse.com.
By Telephone
To ensure we meet your access needs and to confirm pricing please call 61 2 9250 7250. Customers who are deaf or who have a hearing impairment can call (at no cost) through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 13 36 77 then ask for 9250 7250
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 9250 7250
- Internet relay users connect to the NRS (www.relayservice.com.au) and then ask for 9250 7250
In person
Bookings can also be made in person at the Tours Desk next to the Information Desk on the Upper Level, which can be accessed via the Public Lift from the Lower or Ground levels.
Cost of the one hour tour is:
Adult: $35.00
Concession*: $24.50
Family Price: $90.00 (2 adults + 2 children under 16)
Private Tour: $455.00 (price for 1-13 people)
*Concessions apply to Australian seniors/students/children 16 and under
The Companion Card is accepted
.jpg "Companion Card logo")
Prices include GST
Prices are subject to change
Box Office
The Main Box Office is located on the Upper Level of the building (which takes 42 steps). Wheelchair access is via the public lift available from both the Lower Level and Ground Levels. Tickets to performances in all venues are available for purchase from the Main Box Office.
The Western Foyer Box Office is located in the Western Foyers on Ground Level. Tickets to performances in the Drama Theatre, Playhouse and The Studio are available for purchase at this Box Office one hour prior to performances. Tickets can be mailed in advance, please enquire at the time of booking.
Ticketing Policy
Our ticketing policy allows customers requiring wheelchair accessible seating to purchase a wheelchair accessible seat for themselves and a seat for their companion at the lowest concession ticket price available for the selected performance. Where no concessions are available, the wheelchair space and one companion seat will be sold at the lowest price available for that event. Additional companions can purchase tickets on the standard pricing basis.
Accessible Seating
There are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations in all theatres. To request accessible seating call Box Office on 61 2 9250 7777 or email your request to bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Customers who are deaf or who have a hearing impairment can call (at no cost) through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 13 36 77 then ask for 9250 7777
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 9250 7777
- Internet relay users connect to the NRS (www.relayservice.com.au) and then ask for 9250 7777
Theatre Access
Disability access to our theatres has significantly improved with a new public lift and the installation of new stair climber lifts on entry into the Playhouse.
Public Lift
The public lift connects the Lower Level to the Ground Level and to the Upper Level. Patrons can enter the lift via the new corridor near the escalators on the Lower Level and also in the Western Foyer via the new corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the existing escalators). This enables visitors to travel along an accessible path of travel undercover to the Playhouse, The Studio and Drama Theatre for the first time and provides access to the Main Box Office, bypassing 42 steps.
Playhouse
Two new stair climber lifts have been installed in the Playhouse theatre. The stair climber lifts feature fold-out seats allowing them to be used by patrons using wheelchair and less mobile patrons. Up to four new accessible wheelchair positions are available at the mid theatre entry level. Bookings are essential. Please discuss your access requirements with our staff at the time of booking.
The Studio
New wheelchair accessible positions are available on the gallery level in The Studio. Patrons may also choose to be seated at stage level. Please discuss your access requirements with our staff at the time of booking.
Drama Theatre
Up to four wheelchair accessible positions are now available in the Drama Theatre. Bookings are essential. Please discuss your access requirements with our staff at the time of booking.
Concert Hall and Opera Theatre Escalators
Two new escalators connect the Upper Level to the Opera Theatre and Concert Hall South Foyers.
Wheelchair Access to the Concert Hall and Opera Theatre
Wheelchair access to both the Concert Hall and Opera Theatres is via staff assisted lift access from the Information Desk located at the Upper Level (in the Box Office foyer).
Front of House staff situated at the Information Desk will accompany patrons via lift access to the Concert Hall and Opera Theatres.
Sydney Opera House staff are happy to provide patrons with assistance, however staff are unable to lift or carry patrons for safety reasons. We recommend that patrons requiring this type of assistance are accompanied by a companion. Please note that all patrons (including companions and carers) must have tickets to be admitted into a performance space.
Courtesy Wheelchairs
A limited number of courtesy wheelchairs are available one hour before performances for patrons attending events in the Concert Hall and Opera Theatre. They are available by the entrance of the new corridor through to the Western Foyers (at the top of the escalators).Front of House staff are happy to arrange for patrons to borrow these wheelchairs but are unable to leave their posts to assist patrons moving around the Sydney Opera House. It is therefore strongly recommended that patrons who do not normally use a wheelchair bring a friend or companion along to assist them in manoeuvring the wheelchair around the House. Front of House Staff are not able to assist patrons in transferring to seats or to provide personal attendant services. Wheelchairs are also available at the Concert Hall cloakroom located on the Upper Level, next to the female toilets.
Accessible toilets
The Accessibility and Western Foyers Project has transformed the old Western Foyers into a new stylish and functional space providing two new accessible toilet facilities, a significant increase in the capacity of the female toilets and new ambulant facilities in both the male and female toilets.
Accessible toilet facilities are located:
- On the Lower Level
- Inside the Western Foyer - there are two facilities one located adjacent to the Playhouse and one between The Studio and the Drama Theatre, open all day till theatres close.
- On the Upper Level