Badu Gili at the Sydney Opera House
Experience mesmerising First Nations art projected across the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House during Badu Gili.
Badu Gili, which means ‘water light’ in Gadigal language, is a seven-minute animated projection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art that graces the sails of the Opera House each night. Badu Gili celebrates the ancient stories and rich contemporary culture of Australia’s First Nations through vibrant, animated and immersive art.
Fast facts
- Where: Sydney Opera House, Sydney
- When: Several showings take place daily at sunset and into the evening. Timings change seasonally, check the Badu Gili website for current showtimes.
- Price: Free
How to get there
After arriving in Sydney, make your way to Circular Quay by car or public transport. From here, walk to the Sydney Opera House on Bennelong Point. The Badu Gili projections are best viewed from the top of the Monumental Steps.
Things to do at Badu Gili
Badu Gili, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales © Daniel Boud
Witness mesmerising Aboriginal art
Curated by the Opera House’s Head of First Nations Programming, Rhoda Roberts AO, Badu Gili sees intricate Indigenous art light up the sails of the Opera House. Witness the spellbinding animations as they ripple, glide and transform across the sails. The seven-minute projection will give you insight into the diverse markings, sand ceremonies and symbols that guide Australia’s First Nations in the lore of country, sea and sky. You’ll see the projection weave a rich story through the diverse voices of six First Nations artists accompanied by an original soundscape.
Bennelong Restaurant and Bar, Sydney, New South Wales © Brett Stevens
Dine at the Opera House
In addition to the beautiful artworks of Badu Gili, the Opera House is also home to some of Sydney’s best dining experiences. Bennelong, located within the sails of the Opera House, puts Australia on a plate through top-quality produce, local ingredients and mouth watering flavours. Opera Bar offers some of the best views in the city. Sip on local wine while you marvel at the Sydney Harbour Bridge across the water. Sample a broad selection of cuisines at Opera Kitchen or pop into Portside for a-la-carte dining as well as coffee and dessert.
Dance Rites, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales © Prudence Upton
See a First Nations performance
Bennelong Point, on which the Sydney Opera House stands, has been a meeting place for Gadigal people for thousands of years. The Opera House's First Nations Program continues the rich traditions of Bennelong Point, formerly known as Tubowgule. Experience traditional and contemporary expressions of the world's oldest culture and enjoy works that retell forgotten stories and revitalise ancient cultural practices like Dance Rites, Australia's First Nations dance competition. The First Nations Program presents a range of events year-round.
Dreamtime Southern X - Dreamtime Heritage Tour, The Rocks, Sydney, New South Wales © Tourism Australia
Take an Aboriginal tour of Sydney
Before you experience the spellbinding projections of Badu Gili, familiarise yourself with the Aboriginal cultures of Sydney. A Dreamtime Southern X tour will take you through the streets of The Rocks while your guide describes the area’s Aboriginal heritage and its connection with the water and land of Sydney Harbour. After the leisurely 90-minute walk, you’ll discover how ancient Aboriginal culture is still alive within the modern Sydney landscape and hear how the billion-year-old harbour, together with the marine environment, sandstone strata and waterways, continue to influence how Aboriginal people live today.
