Australia's premier tourist attraction and a beacon of world-class performing arts, the Sydney Opera House has firmly established itself as a national symbol. It comes as no surprise that every traveler arriving in Sydney is eager to explore this iconic landmark. To elevate this exploration, a range of experiences have been developed, offering an unique and immersive way to enjoy the famed site, combining the splendor of performance art with gastronomic delights, expanding the options available for visitors to Sydney.
To start this enriching journey, a touch of gastronomy awaits in the artistic universe of the Opera House. With the recent inauguration of the Sydney Opera House's latest culinary venture, Midden by Mark Olive, two distinctive experience packages have been introduced, now aptly renamed to represent each culinary journey better: The Bennelong Experience and the Midden Experience.
The Bennelong Experience is promising "a feast for the senses". This package showcases the rich flavor, diversity, and quality of Australian produce, food, and wine, all within the iconic sail-shaped structure that graces Australia's shoreline. Guests can anticipate a dinner at Bennelong, where Executive Chef Peter Gilmore curates a menu that boasts a two-course meal with paired Australian wines.
The Midden Experience, formerly known as the Silver Experience Package, is offering a relaxed, alfresco-style dining adventure that puts native Australian ingredients at the forefront, from wattle seed and bush honey to saltbush and succulents, giving guests a real taste of millennia-old indigenous Australian history. Situated at Midden by Mark Olive, in the Western Foyers, this two-course meal paired with Australian wines celebrates Australia's native flavors with breathtaking harbourside views. Set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the new restaurant delivers a unique culinary experience drawing on Ambassador Chef, Mark Olive's, Indigenous Australian heritage.
In addition to culinary delights, both packages offer guests the opportunity to delve deeper into the iconic venue with a 1-hour VIP guided tour, allowing for a pre-show exploration of the halls before they buzz to life for the evening's events. Guests can also add an upgrade to their evening by extending their night with a performance.
The Backstage Tour at the Sydney Opera House has steadily maintained its popularity among visitors, offering a glimpse behind the curtains with access to backstage areas, sprinkled with anecdotes and fascinating facts about the Opera House's storied past. In light of this sustained success, the operational days of the Backstage Tour are expanding. Since mid September, the tour is now available on Thursdays, in addition to its regular schedule on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Visitors are expected to arrive at the Stage Door by 6:45 am for a prompt 7:00 am start. This early arrival allows time for a briefing and the placement of breakfast orders. The tour maintains an intimate setting with a group size capped at 12 participants, though arrangements can be made for a second group of up to 12 more attendees, accommodating larger groups of up to 24 people, subject to availability.
To round off the experience, breakfast is served in the exclusive Green Room, a space usually reserved for the Opera House cast and crew, providing an immersive insight into the daily lives of those who grace the Opera House stages.
The Opera House has introduced scheduled set 'booked' private tour times for German, French and Spanish languages, eliminating the need for requests.
Private 'Booked' Tours in these languages will operate as follows:
# Midden Experience Package | Operates Monday through Sunday A journey through culture and cuisine at Sydney Opera House
# Bennelong Experience Package | Operates Wednesday through Saturday
A taste of what Sydney has to offer
# Optional upgrade for either Experience Package : The package experience can be upgraded by adding a performance ticket.
Timings
- 4.15pm: Meet & Greet by Welcome Team before the evening tour.
- Meeting Point | The Lounge, on the Upper Level near the Box Office
- 4.30pm: 1 Hour VIP Sydney Opera House Tour
- 5.30pm: 2 course dinner with two beverages
- 7.30pm: Optional | Add performance tickets to enjoy after dinner for the ultimate Sydney Opera House experience
Please note for 8.00pm performances, the Bennelong Experience Package pre-theatre dinner bookings will be at 6.00pm. Midden Experience Package pre-theatre dinner bookings will remain at 5.30pm.
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