Insider Tips for Photographing Sydney Opera House
Photographing Sydney Opera House is likely high on your list of things to do in Sydney if you love travel photography. While it’s not hard to get the typical Sydney Opera House photos, it can be harder to get interesting ones. So let’s go hunt down some perfect Instagram shots for your visit to Sydney.
I spent a decade working within 5 minutes walk of the architectural wonder and took a ridiculous number of photos of it. I have listed the locations I think give the best view of Sydney Opera House. Let’s start with the classic shots. These are my own, and I am very much an amateur, so I am sure you can do better!
- Photos of the Opera House from The Royal Botanic Gardens
- The Opera House from Mrs Macquarie’s Point
- From the deck of a Sydney Harbour ferry
- The Opera House view from a west bound ferry
- From an Inner Harbour Ferry
- From an Eastern Suburbs or Manly Ferry
- Walk around Circular Quay via the Cahill Expressway to the Rocks
- Photos of the Opera House from The Rocks and Dawes Point
- Overseas Passenger Terminal
- Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon
- Walk, train or ferry across to Milson’s Point
- Getting up close – Walk around and inside
- Take a photography tour or class in Sydney
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Photos of the Opera House from The Royal Botanic Gardens
Wander the footpath that runs around Farm Cove, turning back often to take in the changing view. Start at the Opera House and stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, shooting different angles as you walk.
About halfway around the path between Mrs Macquarie’s Point and the Opera House, these vibrant red calla lilies make a great foreground. This is a top spot for photographing Sydney Opera House.
The Opera House from Mrs Macquarie’s Point
Two icons in one frame! Arrive here in the late afternoon for the best light.
The sunset is spectacular from this spot. If you arrive early enough you can walk via the gardens; they close at sunset. However, you can access the point 24 hours a day via Art Gallery Road.
From the deck of a Sydney Harbour ferry
A ride on a ferry should be on the top of your to-do list, and if you can, more than one! Depending on the route you take, you will capture different aspects.
This is best from Wharf 2 or Wharf 3.
The Opera House view from a west bound ferry
Heading west under the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a Darling Harbour, Balmain, or Parramatta ferry will allow you to take a shot of both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
This is a good spot to alight for a walk either around Lavender Bay or under the bridge to Mary Booth Reserve (see below).
From an Inner Harbour Ferry
These ferries head to North Sydney, Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay. They allow you to shoot the front of the Opera House almost directly on with the skyline behind. It is hard to get this exact angle from any other Sydney Ferry.
If you do jump on one of these ferries, I highly recommend you do a short harbour walk while you are there. The Cremorne Point to Mosman walk is a relatively easy one. For a longer walk, get off at Taronga Zoo and follow the track to Balmoral.
From an Eastern Suburbs or Manly Ferry
Both the Manly or Watson’s Bay ferries glide past the Opera House.
These two ferry routes are great for getting an afternoon shot with the Opera House silhouetted against the sunset. Go late afternoon or early morning for the best light. The harsh midday sun is not optimal, but if that is the only time you have, you can still get some great shots.
Check out our detailed post on using Sydney Harbour ferries to explore the harbour.
Walk around Circular Quay via the Cahill Expressway to the Rocks
There is a walkway that runs the length of the Cahill Expressway and allows a different perspective of the Opera House.
To get the full view, you need to walk two-thirds of the way across. From here, you can capture the building and the harbour in action. If the wind is kind, you might even get an Australian flag in the frame.
Photos of the Opera House from The Rocks and Dawes Point
There are a couple of key vantage points in The Rocks, the first being the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Overseas Passenger Terminal
Head to the Campbells Cove end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal; a viewing platform sits directly opposite the Opera House. You can access the platform via the escalators at the front of the cruise terminal – it is just past the Museum of Contemporary Art.
At the southern end of the terminal is Cruise Bar, a bar with one of the best views of the Opera House, make your way to the top floor for this shot.
The VIVID Festival usually runs each year during May/June for just over three weeks. It is now one of the most popular festivals in Sydney. Check my tips for enjoying Vivid Sydney.
Campbell’s Cove is a great place to shoot the Opera House and a tall ship. When you have finished, continue around the path to the harbour bridge.
The grassy area under the Harbour Bridge is known as Dawes Point or Tar-Ra in the Gadigal language.
This is best in the early morning just after sunrise when the streets are almost deserted. You can also frame beautiful shots with the iron fence.
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon
You don’t need to book a Bridgeclimb to get a birds-eye view. The pylon museum will only set you back $19, and you can bring your camera – a big no-no on Bridgeclimb.
Read our review of the Pylon Museum
Walk, train or ferry across to Milson’s Point
Walk across the Harbour Bridge or get a ferry to Milson’s Point.
Wander east towards the Opera House to the other side of the bridge. Here you will find a couple of sandstone shelters that allow for some fun framing.
After you have captured all the regular postcard views, why not try a few more unusual shots.
Follow the foreshore to Mary Booth Reserve for this angle
You can also continue walking around to Blues Point for more shot looking east that takes in both the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Getting up close – Walk around and inside
Head to the eastern side of the sails at sunset for some lovely silhouettes
I like getting up close and looking at the tiles’ texture; try framing shots that do not include the whole building.
And don’t forget to get yourself inside – the northern foyer is only available on a guided tour or during a performance interval.
You might also like to read our post on the best spots to photograph on Sydney Harbour.
Take a photography tour or class in Sydney
Join a professional photography for a class in the Rocks and Circular Quay which will allow you to get some great Sydney Opera House pictures
If you are an amateur like me, you might want to hire a pro to join you for your Sydney Opera House photoshoot. They are not as expensive as you think and perfect for a lifetime memory to take home.
Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
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It’s such an iconic building, it’s hard not to take endless photos. I don’t think it’s possible to take a bad one
Haven’t been to Sydney yet in Australia but I so want to see the Opera House and get some great angles of the buildings, so thanks for all the tips 🙂
Agreed it is pretty hard 🙂 and if you do you can always say it’s your arty shot lol
No problem 🙂 I hope you get to come down soon.
I have not been to Sydney but any city with great architecture is worth taking the time to learn some photo tips. Thanks for sharing this. I’m sure it can be applied anywhere !
Pretty much covers all great views……I also like the view from the Royal Botanic Gardens…the giant stairway that takes you to the back of NSW Government House (you can see the glasswork of the shells) and the main stairs….the pathway immediately to your right from Queen Elizabeth gates and takes you up a hill.
Glimpses of the Opera House sails are great too like from walking in the grounds of NSW Government House during general public visiting hours.
Yes agreed 🙂 I forgot all about that outlook. Thanks!
I loved when we had a drink at the Opera House in the evening and got to sit right under it- such an experience! We were also staying in The Rocks so had a pretty great view the whole time.
Great suggestions! I’ve gotten shots from most of these spots, but I had no idea that you could climb the bridge pylon without doing the walk! I’m definitely going to do that on my next visit to Sydney!
I don’t think that there is a bad place to photograph that beauty! Great suggestions. I hope to have an issue of where to take the best picture some day. 😉 Sydney is fabulous!
I hope so too Melody
Make sure you do Vicki – It’s fantastic and costs less than $15 from memory
Opera Bar is a lovely place to watch the sunset isn’t it 🙂
These are some great tips for photographing the Opera house thanks for sharing
Thanks for the great information. The Opera house “World Heritage Site” is on my “photo list” when we visit this year from Canada.
Such a unique article. Thank you for sharing this, I never thought of trying to shoot the Opera House from different angles. It was the same boring frontside shot every time. My favorites among your recommendations are #5 and #6. Not sure how I can take those angles with #7 but I will definitely try!
You must be thrilled with the news that racing ads will obscure the night view. I’m an expat Australian. This building is a tourist icon. Tourists are not going to be happy to photograph that building with advertising on it.
I could not agree more that this advertising is repulsive and must not be allowed. I plan to attend the protest tomorrow.
Good information. I am planning a trip in April and would like to ask whether going in the morning to take the Opera House will give me the morning sunlight? I am planning for the sunset as well but want to get the shot in the morning before the harsh light. Also I will try to get the North ferry to get the shot with the skyline. What is the shortest trip I should take.. My only mission is to take that shot you mentioned.
Hi Reuben, The Neutral Bay or Mosman ferries will get you those shots in about the same time. I would take whichever one is there when you arrive. The sun rises from the east so Opera House shots in morning light are best before 9am.
Wonderful View of the Quay. I also walked toward the Cahill Express Way.
Hi,
How much time would you recommend for us to allocated for Sydney Opera House? (just to walk around and take some photo around the building/Opera House precinct)
Thanks