The Opera House was finally completed in 1973 at the cost of $102 million (which today would be nearly half a billion dollars), despite the fact that the original budget was $7 million. Each time we walked by the structure during our trip, it was full of tourists admiring it, just as we were. This image shows the southernmost sail of the restaurant, Circular Quay, and (at the far left) part of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Photo 13 of 14 in Sydney's Surprising Opera House by Miyoko Ohtake

Sydney's Surprising Opera House

13 of 14

The Opera House was finally completed in 1973 at the cost of $102 million (which today would be nearly half a billion dollars), despite the fact that the original budget was $7 million. Each time we walked by the structure during our trip, it was full of tourists admiring it, just as we were. This image shows the southernmost sail of the restaurant, Circular Quay, and (at the far left) part of the Royal Botanic Gardens.