PLAN YOUR VISIT
Planning your visit
Our Guide to La Traviata on Sydney Harbour contains all you need to know about how to get there, where to eat and what to bring. Read it, print it, or download it to your tablet for easy access on the night.
Where is Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour?
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is located at Fleet Steps, the Domain - adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.
This area is just to the south of Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. From the Art Gallery of NSW, proceed north along Art Gallery Road and Mrs Macquarie’s Road.
Note: Gates to the Royal Botanic Garden close at sundown - 6.30pm in March and 6.00pm in April. After this time, access to and from the venue is only possible via Mrs Macquaries Road.
View location map on Foursquare
Finding your way around the site
The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour site offers all the facilities of a theatre venue - box office, restaurants, bars and amenities. For a preview, take a video tour of the site or download a map of the venue.
Buying or collecting tickets
To guarantee your seats at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour it is wise to book in advance - online or by phone on +61 2 9318 8300. When purchasing your tickets online you will have an opportunity to view a detailed seating plan and choose your seats.
You can also purchase tickets (subject to availability) in person at the on-site Box Office, which will be open from 4.30pm – 8.30pm on the day of each performance. Payment will be accepted by Visa, Diners, American Express, Mastercard, EFTPOS or cash only.
Pre-booked tickets can be collected for that night's performance from 5.00pm at the box office, located and clearly signposted near the entrance to the venue. For ticket collection, valid identification (e.g. a driver’s licence or passport) will be required.
Performance times
Performances begin at 7.30pm, and conclude at around 10.20pm. There is one interval of 30 minutes.
Site Opening Hours
The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour precinct will open at 5.00pm. You will need a valid ticket to obtain entry to the site.
Getting there
Train
Stations nearest to Fleet Steps are Martin Place and St James. It will take around 20 minutes to walk to the site from these stations. Please leave ample time for the walk to ensure that you reach the seating area well before the performance commences.
Bus
The Sydney Explorer Bus includes the Royal Botanic Gardens on its route and the 200 Bus (Chatswood to Bondi) stops in Macquarie Street. All schedules can be viewed at the NSW Transport website at For route information and schedules check with Transport Info at www.131500.com.au or call 131 500.
Car
If you're planning to drive, we recommend parking at the Domain Car Park - St Marys Rd, Sydney. The carpark charges a $10 flat rate for all vehicles entering the carpark before 5.00pm. Closing hours will be extended until 1:00am. Of course, car parking is subject to availability. Further information about the Domain Car Park can be viewed at www.domaincarpark.com.au.
Please note that the Domain Car Park is currently undergoing refurbishment. This means that pedestrian access to Botanic Gardens and Art Gallery has changed. Customers parking in the Domain Car Park will not be able to use the internal stairs to exit to the Domain.
To access the Domain and Art Gallery of NSW the alternate routes from the inside the car park are as follows:
- via the express walkway in the car park foyer on level 1A;
- via the pedestrian doors to St Marys Road on level Blue 2A & Green 1A;
- via Sir John Young Crescent on the lower Yellow level of the car park. This is the exit to use to access the complimentary shuttle bus for elderly and less mobile customers.
Drop off/Pick up
It is likely that Art Gallery Road, leading into the venue, will experience significant traffic congestion on performance nights. There will be very limited metered parking and drop off/pick up availability in this area, so we highly recommend arranging an alternative drop off/meeting point, or using public transport.
Please be aware that access to the venue via the Royal Botanic Garden is only possible prior to 6.30pm in March and 6.00pm in April, as the gates to the Garden are closed at these times. This means that you will not be able to leave the site via the Garden, and will need to exit via the Victoria Lodge Gate on Mrs Macquaries Road.
Complimentary shuttle bus
A complimentary shuttle bus is available for elderly and less mobile customers who park in the Domain Car Park. This will collect customers from the car park entrance on Sir John Young Crescent (on the lower Yellow level of the car park). The bus will then loop to the site entrance on Mrs Macquaries Road. The service will run from 5.00pm until 7.30pm and recommence at 10.30pm. We expect that there will be high demand for this service, so please allow plenty of time to make the trip to the venue.
Restrictions on boating
Farm Cove is designated as a Special Event/Exclusive Use Area during much of the period leading up to, and during, performances of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. This means that unauthorised vessels will not be allowed within the area between Man o’ War Steps, Mrs Macquarie’s Point and Fleet Steps during the following times:
- During the ‘construction periods’ from 27 February 2012 to 21 March 2012, and then 20 April 2012 to 25 April 2012 – 24 hours per day; then
- During performances (22 March 2012 to 19 April 2012), between 6.30pm and 10.30pm
The Area will be marked by lit buoys and patrolled by control and security vessels.
Full details of these marine restrictions are available on the Roads and Maritime Services website.
Cloak Room
There are no cloak room facilities available, so anything you bring will need to be stored under your seat. We recommend that you do not bring large or bulky items, or items of significant value.
Seating
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is a reserved seating venue. There is no undercover seating.
To ensure the enjoyment of all audience members, we will be unable to seat latecomers until a suitable break in the performance.
Patrons with Disabilities
If you require any assistance, please advise when purchasing your tickets. Wheelchair accessible seating is available for sale in advance through the Opera Australia Ticketing Services office on +61 2 9318 8200, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. A complimentary shuttle bus will be available for elderly and less mobile customers who park in the Domain Car Park. This will loop from the car park to the entrance on Mrs Macquaries Road. The service will run from 5.00pm until 7.30pm and recommence at 10.30pm.
The attached map shows accessible paths through the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain that can be used to access the site. Please note, however, that the Garden closes at 6.30pm in March and 6.00pm in April. View map
Food & Beverage
Fresh Catering will be a creating a number of outdoor dining experiences at the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour site. Drinks and meals will be available from 5.00pm, and bars will stay open until 11.00pm (subject to demand), so come early or stay late to take full advantage of the beautiful location.
There will be a range of meals to buy on the night, from gourmet pizzas, freshly prepared salads and tasty paninis to substantial hot mains and delicious desserts.
Alternatively, pre-purchased dinners and drinks are available, as well as pre-ordered gourmet hampers that can be collected on the evening of the performance. Call +61 2 9318 8300 to book (hampers must be reserved four or more business days in advance of your ticketed show date).
For larger groups, there are also a number of entertaining packages available.
Only food and beverages purchased at the venue will be permitted - sorry, no BYO. And of course, you must be over 18 to purchase or consume alcohol at the site.
Please read our full Terms and Conditions before purchasing dining packages.
Hamper collection points
If you have pre-ordered a Gourmet Hamper, it can be collected from a point opposite the Medina Lounge at the base of the Victoria Gate Entry. You will need to present your hamper ticket for collection.
Hampers must be reserved four or more business days in advance of your ticketed show date. Call +61 2 9318 8300 to reserve your hamper over the phone.
EFTPOS and ATMs
While there will be no ATMs at the site, food and beverage vendors will offer EFTPOS and credit card facilities, as will the venue box office and merchandise vendors.
Age Limits
People of all ages are welcome to attend, however all patrons must hold a valid ticket to enter the venue, so babes in arms will not be permitted.
Non Smoking Venue
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is a non smoking venue.
Recording
The recording (audio or video) and taking of photos (including camera phones) during the performance is prohibited.
Mobile phones
We request that mobile phones are turned off prior to the performance. If you must keep your phone turned on, please place it on silent or vibrate mode. Please also remember that light from your phone may be distracting to other audience members.
Wet Weather Arrangements
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is an open-air event. The venue and the stage are completely uncovered. The special nature of this event will be appreciated by visitors from all over the world who understand that there is a certain risk of bad weather. Opera Australia is therefore committed to going ahead with a performance of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour even in doubtful weather conditions.
Visitors are therefore advised that it may rain during the performance. The performance will proceed if there are light, intermittent showers. All patrons will be given a free poncho.
The performance will only be cancelled if the weather poses a threat to the safety of performers or the audience. Cancellation will occur in the event of heavy rain and strong winds as OA acknowledges that the comfort and safety of the audience and its performers are paramount.
Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the site, out of consideration for other members of the audience they cannot be used during the performance.
In the case of extreme weather, La Traviata may be delayed by up to 50 minutes at any point throughout the performance. If a performance is cancelled or plays for less than 50% of the total running time the ticket holder shall have the ticket price refunded in full or can exchange the ticket for a subsequent performance. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
If you are in doubt about whether the evening's performance will be going ahead, please call +61 2 9318 8300.
Full Terms and Conditions
Please read our full Terms and Conditions before purchasing your tickets or dining packages.
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